Academic and Career Preparation

Student Assistant – WEST Program

Description

The WEST Program Student Assistant will perform his/her duties under the supervision and guidance of the WEST Program Worksite Trainers. The Student Assistant will gain experience working as a team member mentoring students to achieve employability skills. These students may have a wider variety of disorders such as Autism Spectrum, Emotional or Behavioral, Sensory, Development and/or Multiple. The Student Assistant will develop a strong working knowledge of behavioral strategies and interventions available to assist WEST students in learning variety of tasks. WEST students may have difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, grammar, mathematics, visual-spatial perception, sequential memory and auditory discrimination. These students are working on communication, basic literacy, and functional skills for daily life and employment.

Position Overview

The work op student will:

  • Provide support in the setup, operation and closing of the WEST Cafe Training Lab (work experience and training lab sites located at Nanaimo Campus/Bldg. 205).
  • Work with individual students and provide mentorship as necessary. Areas of focus will be developing students' employability skills (communication, grooming, attitude, teamwork, responsibility, and willingness).
  • Provide mentorship to students in assisting them to becoming "self advocates" for themselves at their work training sites.
  • Provide the necessary cash register and cash handling training.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Program's Worksite Trainers.

Graduate Attributes Associated

Students in this position will gain skills in oral communication, technological literacy, safe and ethical practices and capacity to engage in respectful relationships.

Position Type

  • This is a paid Work-Op position
  • Number of positions: 1

Sign-Up Directions

Contact Tanya Assaf, WEST Instructor, at Tanya.Assaf@viu.ca or visit the WEST program website for more information.