Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Want to build a meaningful career helping students thrive in the classroom? Langara’s Education Assistant programs combine flexible study, local practicums and strong job outcomes.
Across B.C., elementary and secondary schools are looking for qualified education assistants to help support children and youth in the classroom. WorkBC projects more than 5000 job openings for education assistants in the province between now and 2035.
“Schools need skilled, thoughtful education assistants who can work closely with students, teachers and families,’ says Erin Yorke, Education Assistant Department (EDAS) Chair. “This is work that matters every day, and it calls for people who are ready to step into real classrooms with care, sound judgment and practical skills.”
For many students, education assistants are an important part of helping them feel safe, included and successful in the classroom.
The roles are varied, and so is the work
An education assistant role is much more than helping out in a classroom. They support students and help teachers and school teams with both instructional and non-instructional tasks. Depending on the role, that may include personal care, communication and behaviour support.
Education assistants may support children with behavioural, developmental, physical, sensory, healthcare or learning‑related needs. There is room to grow within the field, too. That range is part of what makes the field appealing: For some students, it is a direct path into school-based work. For others, it can be the start of further studies in education or related fields that ladder into teaching, child and youth care, or social work.
Why training matters
While soft skills such as warmth, patience and flexibility are very important, employers are also looking for people with proper training. They most often require the completion of a program in education assistance, and those who help students with diverse abilities usually require specialized training and experience.
And this is where Langara fits in. Our EDAS programs are built around the work students will be doing after graduation. Langara students learn the best ways to support children and youth with special needs in school settings, prepare for inclusive classrooms, and gain hands-on experience alongside teachers and teams supporting students with disabilities.
This program is grounded in the day-to-day reality of schools. Students look at inclusion, communication, teamwork and student support in a practical way, then they have the chance to apply that learning in school settings.
– Jen Erickson, EDAS Coordinator
Students also have opportunities to learn from experts in the field. Faculty members have all taught in education, many started as education assistants, and all hold master’s degrees or higher.
Providing students with real school experience
One of the clearest ways Langara helps students bridge school and work is through hands-on experience. Both the full-time and part-time streams include two practicums: One in an elementary school and the other in a middle or secondary school. Each runs five days a week for four weeks, and together they provide roughly 240 to 280 hours of experience in local schools. Some part-time students are hired before they finish the program and begin working as education assistants while completing their course work.
Practicums are a key part of the learning experience because they give students the skills needed for the job. They learn how to work with teachers. They learn how school teams communicate. They start to build confidence around the pace, the responsibilities and the relationships that shape the role.
Practicum gives students a chance to test themselves in the work. They are not standing on the sidelines. They are in schools, learning how to support students, collaborate with staff and respond to the pace of the day.
– Leslie Burgess, EDAS faculty
Practicum instructors typically supervise 10 to 12 students, which gives learners closer support during placements.
Students leave the program with hands-on classroom experience and a clearer understanding of how schools operate day to day.
Start your future in education at Langara
Langara’s Education Assistant department has been around for a long time. Since it began, more than 1,500 students have graduated from the program, and 95 per cent found work within five months of graduation.
If you’re exploring a career as an education assistant, Langara offers flexible study options, experienced instructors, local practicums, and training that lines up with what school districts are looking for right now. Get started at Langara today.
