News Release
More training for educational assistants
Alberta’s government continues to invest in educational assistant excellence through the expansion of the Educational Assistant Internship Program.
In spring 2026, the Educational Assistant Internship Program will be expanded to give school boards across Alberta greater access to trained educational assistants, helping ease staffing pressures and better support students in increasingly complex classrooms. Since 2023, Alberta’s government has provided this program with more than $2 million, supporting more than 1,280 educational assistants.
Educational assistants in the program receive online learning, in-class practical experience, ongoing coaching, mentoring and access to a community of practice. The flexible design allows school authorities to adapt the program to local needs.
“Educational assistants are on the front lines of supporting students and teachers in increasingly complex classrooms. Expanding the Educational Assistant Internship Program across Alberta will deliver stronger in-class supports and help school divisions better meet the realities of today’s learning environments.”
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare
The Educational Assistant Internship Program is designed to strengthen the skills of educational assistants through high-quality, targeted professional learning. It equips participants with the foundational knowledge needed to support diverse student needs and succeed in their field, while also supporting school boards in improving recruitment and retention of educational assistants.
“The success of students depends on the quality and consistency of the staff who support them. Thanks to the Government of Alberta, the Educational Assistant Internship Program has become an important part of our recruitment strategy. With 98 per cent of successful interns choosing to stay with Edmonton Public Schools, this partnership is a shining example of how provincial investment and local expertise can solve workforce challenges and directly benefit Alberta’s classrooms.”
Saadiq Sumar, chair, Edmonton Public School Board
The expansion includes enhanced training modules and new content to address needs identified by school authorities. This year’s new modules will cover topics such as learning disabilities, augmented and alternative communication and medical management awareness. These additions align with recommendations from the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team.
Quick facts
Since spring 2023, Education and Childcare has partnered with Edmonton Public Schools to develop and deliver the Educational Assistant Internship Program, with a total investment of $2.4 million.
More than 850 new and existing educational assistants have completed the program.
The program expanded to 14 school authorities in 2024 and 23 authorities in 2025.
Of the 479 interns in the spring 2025 session, 139 were new hires and 340 were existing educational assistants.
In spring 2026, 23 school authorities will be participating, including about 400 educational assistants.
Pinoy Edmonton News 