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  Trade Information

Developmental Services Worker

A Developmental Services Worker supports people who have a developmental disability to realize their full potential. Developmental Services Workers are employed by organizations that provide support to individuals with special needs, including faith and culture-based agencies and by school boards to assist in the classroom. Specifically, a Developmental Services Worker assists people with developmental disabilities by:

  • promoting their adaptive skills
  • maintaining a safe environment
  • modelling and promoting a healthy lifestyle
  • assisting with medications
  • applying crisis prevention and intervention strategies
  • participating in the development and implementation of person-directed plans
  • supporting the individual in the development and maintenance of family, community and other relationships
Apprenticeship Resources
Curriculum Training Standard (pdf)
Apprenticeship Training Standard (pdf)
Becoming a Developmental Service Worker in Ontario (PDF)

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Developmental Services Worker is 4,500 hours (approximately two and a half years) consisting of 3,720 hours of on-the-job work experience and 780 hours of in-school training.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s apprenticeship training standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

IN-SCHOOL TRAINING

A Developmental Services Worker apprenticeship includes one level of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

  • professionalism
  • developmental disabilities
  • person-directed philosophy of support
  • services and supports in agencies and communities
  • behavioural intervention strategies
  • teaching strategies
  • safety procedures and abuse prevention
  • health and wellness
  • supports for people with mental health disorders, developmental disabilities and dual diagnosis

Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:

  • block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
  • day release (one day per week from September to June)
  • part-time (night-school programs)
  • alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)

Developmental Services Worker is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021. This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Because there is no certifying exam in this trade, Skilled Trades Ontario does not issue a Certificate of Qualification.

The information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.

Those who complete the apprenticeship are encouraged to continue their studies to obtain a Developmental Services Worker Diploma from an Ontario college of applied arts and technology which may include completing general education courses, a practicum and residency.

About us

  • Who we are
  • Meet our leadership
  • By-laws
  • Work with us

About trades

  • Trades information
  • Work in the compulsory trades
  • Work in the non-compulsory trades

Apprenticeship

  • Starting an apprenticeship
  • Finishing an apprenticeship
  • Provisional Certificate of Qualification

Experienced workers

  • Recognized Canadian Certificates
  • Trade Equivalency Assessment
  • Canadian Forces

Certification

  • Exam eligibility
  • Exam scheduling
  • Exam resources
  • Certificate of Qualification
  • Renewals/Replacements

Certification

  • Exam scheduling
  • Exam resources
  • Certificate of Qualification
  • Renewals/Replacements

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