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Registration is open for the district's School Office Clerk Certificate program, a 12-week, part-time evening course that prepares adult students for a career in one of the district's 130 schools. (Image via iStock)

Surrey Community College is accepting applications for the February start of the district’s clerical training program, offering participants the insight and guidance to start a new career path as clerical staff in one of the district’s 130 schools.

Launched last year, the School Office Clerk Certificate program is a 12-week, part-time evening course hosted by Queen Elizabeth Continuing Education, with a two-week practicum at a district school. The program is currently running a fall cohort and is looking for adults who are interested in working in school clerical roles to join the spring cohort.

“I visited some schools where the current clerical students are doing their practicums, and they were impressed with the level of skills they learned through the program,” said Bal Ranu, District Principal of Career Education. “It covers the full spectrum of office clerk and really focuses on what you need to become clerks in a fast-paced school environment.”

Working in a school office may be a very attractive career for parents, where the position is 10 months during the school year and workday hours are during school times. School office clerks earn $24 to 30 per hour, with flexibility for movement and growth.

The program will focus on the technical and interpersonal skills needed to be effective in a school office environment. Students will learn the basics of office practices, office management, safety preparedness, professional writing, basic bookkeeping, Office 365, MyEdBC, and resumé and interview techniques.

Classes begin Feb. 3, 2025, and the program runs through May 8, 2025, with practicums scheduled during that time period. These practicums will help future school clerks adjust to the school office setting and prepare them to arrive on the job equipped with the skills needed to be successful in their roles supporting staff and students.

Entrance requirements include high school graduation and an English requirement, as well as several application documents (details here).

Classes are held Monday to Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., at Queen Elizabeth Continuing Education Centre (9457 King George Blvd.) and led by Deb Evans, a clerical supervisor and trainer in school districts for the past 13 years. Practicums take place during school hours, Monday to Friday.

Tuition is $1,350 with a $90 registration fee (details here). Textbooks and course materials will be confirmed by the instructor no later than the first week of class.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to apply to work as a school office clerk in both the public and private school systems.

For more information, visit the School Office Clerk Certificate website.