Developmental Services Worker Apprentice DSA
This is a day release program, meaning that apprentices work full time and attend classes at the college part-time, one day a week. During these class days, you will have:
- 780 hours of class
- 1 hour of study/assignments required for each hour in class
- This program is offered at the London Campus and in Kitchener at the Sunbeam Residential Development Centre
Holland Code: S (Social)
What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?
Apprenticeship programs are run at Fanshawe College in partnership with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. You can not apply to an apprenticeship program through the Ontario Colleges Application Service. Your first step is finding an employer who will support you in your apprenticeship training. The employer must register you as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. For more information on the process, please see please see the Fanshawe Apprenticeship website.
Arts & Literacy Students will be required to write reports, essays, term assignments, teaching plans, and portfolios. Students will be required to independently complete assigned readings from textbooks.
Math & Science A background Math, Biology, and Chemistry is recommended (you will be studying pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, health and disease).
Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, Internet, checking student web portal daily).
What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?
- Respect for diversity
- Fosters and advocates for the inclusion and acceptance of people with diverse abilities
- Positive, optimistic outlook
- Outgoing, creative, compassionate
- Ability to self-reflect
- Ability to multi-task
- Demonstrates initiative
- High ethical and moral standards
- Ability to engage children, adults, families
- Strong motivation to help people with developmental disabilities to achieve their goals
- Works well as a member of a group and/or interprofessional team
- Has strong communication skills and is able to use diverse methods to communicate with and understand people who are verbal or non-verbal
- Resourceful and able to identify and solve problems
- Possess physical, emotional and mental stamina
Places you may find yourself employed include
Working with people with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings such as in their homes, day programs providing employment and/or leisure support, schools as educational assistants, and camps.
Typical working conditions for this kind of work:
- Shift work
- Moderate physical demands – lifting, bending, standing, pushing wheelchairs, etc.
- Potential for working with people with challenging and/or aggressive behaviour
Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace
- Motivating, instructing, coaching, supporting people with developmental disabilities
- Advocacy
- Providing physical care to people with disabilities, including personal care, dressing, feeding, bathing
- Completing some transfers to and from wheelchairs
- Supporting people to complete daily living tasks (e.g. appointments, school, banking, taking bus, exercising, going to social events, etc.)
- Deescalating and managing challenging behavior
- Promoting health and wellness in people with disabilities
- Assess individuals' abilities and needs
- Assist people to explore lifestyle, education and career options
- Educate and support individuals to make use of community services related to their recreational, medical, learning, vocational and leisure needs
- Identify programs and employers that provide relevant services and help people access those services
- Assist people in the development of support networks and facilitate community living
- Create and maintain documentation as required
Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity
Links to learn more about apprenticeship in general
- www.apprenticesearch.com
- The Apprenticeship Network
- Apprenticetrades.ca
- Ontario College of Trades
- Employer apprenticeship incentives
Links to learn more about this career
- Crisis Prevention (CPI) certification
- Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities
- Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.
Opportunities for further development
- A bridging program to the Developmental Services Worker diploma program is an option upon completion of the Apprenticeship Certificate.
NOC Codes
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used by the Canadian government to provide detailed information on careers. Visit the National Occupation Classification website and use the NOC codes below to learn more about careers associated with this Fanshawe College program. Please note: These codes are listed here for information purposes only. Fanshawe College does not guarantee graduates careers in these fields.
- NOC Code 4212 Social and community service workers
The Canada Job Bank is an excellent resource for labour market information including wages, jobs available and career planning advice.
Career Outlook
Explore Fanshawe Career Coach to learn more about related careers, employment, job postings and current local data on wages.
Last Modified: January 11, 2024