File photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

LOCAL TRAINING

SD73 launching first class of CEA training next week

Jan 29, 2026 | 4:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops-Thompson School District is preparing to launch its certified education assistant (CEA) in-house training program next week with an initial cohort of 24 participants.

The program will include course work and two practicum sessions, with those enrolled ready to join the district in a full-time position by the summer. The hopes is that through doing the training in-house, the education assistants will create connections to the schools and district.

“The board identified sometime ago and directed staff to take the action we could,” said Superintendent Mike McKay, “so we developed an in-house CEA training certification program. Which will mean that we have more qualified and certified people who have a connection to the school district directly through the training program. The initial cohort of 24 people starts the work on Monday (Feb. 2).”

More than 100 people expressed interest in joining the program with the district hoping to run more sessions in the future. While it may help alleviate concerns around new recruits, the district knows it needs to focus on retention.

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“We need to continue to have conversations and advocacy, and try to gain a better understanding of the retention part of it as well,” said Board Chair Heather Grieve.

“It is one part that we are very excited about, that we do have control over. The other part is going to take us continuing to lean into some of those harder questions and taking a look at what is happening systemically that we may be able to positively change.”