Apprenticeship takes time, but it is an investment in your future. Skilled workers, called journey persons are in high demand in a wide variety of occupations. To become a journey person you require a combination of on-the-job experience and in-school training, called apprenticeship. This applies to the profession of Developmental Services Work.

Apprenticeship is an agreement between a person like you, who wants to learn a skill, and an employer who needs a skilled worker. Apprenticeship is a proven way to learn and is a partnership shared by you and four other parties: Your employer, the federal government, the Province of Ontario and Centennial College.

The benefits of apprenticeship and a career in a skilled occupation like Developmental Services Work include earning while you learn, challenging and satisfying work, learning new skills, increased job security, a good salary and benefits package and having advancement opportunities.

Benefit from Centennial’s exceptional faculty, interactive classrooms, and field experience while studying at your own pace.

Your first step to becoming an apprentice is to decide if the Developmental Services Worker occupation best matches your goals and interests. Think about whom you are, what you like to do, what kind of lifestyle you enjoy, and what you would like to be doing three to ten years from now. A career in Developmental Services Work isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth considering.

In order to qualify for the Developmental Services Worker Apprenticeship Program you need to have your high school diploma and you must be employed by an organization that works with children, youth, and families and hires Developmental Services Workers.

Apprenticeship students are expected to learn about and gain expertise in:

• Developmental disabilities (history, services, common syndromes and conditions)
• Philosophy of Support (Social Role Valorization, Holistic approach)
• Social Services (structure, legislation)
• Person Directed Plans
• Intervention Strategies
• Responding to Abuse
• Health and Wellness Pharmacology
• Dual Diagnosis
• Community Building
• Professionalism
• This program will fulfill the requirements for the in-school portion of the Developmental Services Worker Apprenticeship Program. In addition you will be required to complete on-the-job training.

• Cost:  Presently the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities pays 80% of the tuition for the apprenticeship program. Courses cost between $50 and $100 depending on the course payable prior to the start of each course.
• Locations:  The program is offered at Ashtonbee Campus of Centennial College.
• Schedule:  Training is scheduled 1 day per week, year round. It takes approximately 3 ½ years to complete the Program.

Upon successful completion of this program and the on-the-job training, the Apprentice will receive a Developmental Services Worker certificate of Apprenticeship through the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. For those motivated to receive their Developmental Services Worker Diploma from Centennial College, an additional four courses are required. For these four courses, you are registered as a Centennial College student and must pay the full cost of each course.

Apprenticeship students who complete the Developmental Services Worker Certificate of Apprenticeship and the Centennial College Diploma can receive credit toward their university degree. Centennial College has articulation agreements with Ryerson University (Bachelor of Applied Arts in Disabilities Studies) and York University (Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Arts).

If you are presently employed by an organization which hires Developmental Services Workers and supports people with intellectual disabilities, the Developmental Services Worker Apprenticeship Program may be the perfect way to gain your professional certification while you continue to work. To determine your eligibility for this program through the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities please call:

Apprenticeship Hotline: 1-800-387-5656

Once you have registered as a Developmental Services Worker Apprentice and have received a Training Agreement Number, please click on and complete the submission form below.

SUBMISSION FORM (Please complete)

Once we receive this form, we will communicate back to you the information you require to begin your apprenticeship program.