Recruitment

Recruiting new housing co-op educators!

Co-op housing federations and associations across the country are collectively recruiting and training new housing co-op educators. Being a housing co-op educator is flexible work that offers great rewards for those passionate about supporting secure housing in healthy, vibrant co-operative communities.

Different regions across the country have pools of educators that they can call on to deliver core workshops and board coaching at housing co-ops in their areas.

As a growing sector we need more educators to support those already dedicating their time and energy, and if you complete the training and mentorship program you will join a supportive network of adult educators who have a huge role to play in housing co-op success.

If you are selected, your training course fee will be sponsored by a federation / association in your area. After you have completed the training course you will receive a Housing Co-op Educator Training Program Certificate of Completion. The knowledge you gain and skills you develop will be transferable to any adult learning environment.

What & when: the training program will take approximately 30 hours and will be delivered fully online starting the middle of February to the end of April, 2024. We are considering a French language training program in future, however for this first cohort the training course will be offered in English only. After you have successfully completed the training program, you will receive notice of whether you’re confirmed to start a mentorship program with the regional federation or association that sponsored your training. The period of mentorship will depend on each trainee, and the specific terms of the mentorship program will be decided by each sponsoring federation / association.

Your commitment: you will need to commit 30 hours for the training course, which includes 20 direct contact hours:4 hours on-demand / self-paced learning plus 16 hours live training). The other 10 hours are for assignments. This time commitment will average out at approximately 3 – 4 hours per week for 9 weeks. The live training sessions will be on Saturdays ** at 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain / 1 pm Eastern / 2pm Atlantic.

You will need reliable internet access and a device to participate in the live and on-demand training. You will also need to commit to the mentorship program as outlined by your sponsoring federation / association.

Benefits: an opportunity to gain transferable skills, make a positive difference for housing co-ops through flexible work, be part of a supportive network of educators across the country and receive a Housing Co-op Educator Training Program Certificate of Completion.

Who we’re looking for: we are looking for passionate cooperative educators interested in delivering workshops and board coaching to housing co-ops both in-person and online (with a preference for applicants who have some experience hosting Zoom meetings). We are looking for individuals that reflect the diversity of the housing co-op sector including those who could possibly deliver education services in French or other languages. We are looking for people who have some knowledge of how a housing co-op works, people with experience of adult learning even if just as a learner, people who hold core beliefs and values about co-operation and pro-actively promoting equity and inclusion, and people willing to commit for the duration of the training and mentorship program. If you are selected your training fee will be covered by the co-op housing federation or association that sponsors your training.

Cost: if you are selected your fee will be covered by the co-op housing federation or association that sponsors your training.

Application process: the deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 8^th. You will find out if you have a place on the course by December 11. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility based on the requirements set out in the application package. A short list of eligible applicants will be provided to federations / associations in each region, and they will decide on 2 or 3 individuals to sponsor for the first cohort in 2024. We are also interested to hear from people who would like to be considered for future cohorts.

What will this training program cover?: This program is intended to provide education and training to develop core competencies for co-op housing educators.

The course is broken into 5 modules:

1. Intro to Adult Learning Principles
2. Building the Inclusive Learning Environment
3. Designing Meaningful Content
4. Effective Workshop Delivery
5. Principles of Evaluation and Assessment

Learners will need to commit 30 hours for the training course, which includes 20 direct contact hours:

• 4 hours on-demand/self-paced learning
• 16 hours live training
• 10 hours assignments

The time will be spread out into approximately 3 – 4 hours per week for 9 weeks. The live training sessions will be on Saturdays ** at 10am Pacific / 11am Mountain / 1 pm Eastern / 2pm Atlantic.

** Live session dates Saturday February 24, March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, April 6, April 13 or 20 and April 27.

Training course orientation will take place on February 10 at 1pm EST.

Learners will need reliable internet access and a device to participate in the live and on-demand training. You will also need to commit to the mentorship program as outlined by your sponsoring federation / association.

To apply, complete the form below by Wednesday November 8th, 2023.

Who are we? This educator training program is a joint initiative with co-operative housing federations across Canada. Together we are known as the National Education Committee. Learn more here.

The education program is being developed by a consultant chosen by the National Education Committee, Sonia Byrne.

The National Education Committee is comprised of representatives from co-op housing federations/associations across Canada. If you have questions regarding participating in the training program or the requirements of the mentorship program following the training, please contact the federation in your region.

Ontario

• Co-operative Housing Association of Eastern Ontario (CHASEO)
• Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation (COCHF) contact: Elana Harte office@cochf.coop
• Golden Horseshoe Co-operative Housing Federation (GHCHF) contact: Doug Sider Doug@ghchf.com
• Peel Halton Co-operative Housing Federation (PHCHF) contact: info@phchf.com
• Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT) contact: Mary Ann Hannant maryann@coophousing.com

Alberta

• Northern Alberta Co-operative Housing Association (NACHA)
• Southern Alberta Co-operative Housing Association (SACHA)

British Columbia

• Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHFBC)

Atlantic, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northeastern Ontario and Southwestern Ontario

• Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) – contact education@chfcanada.coop

If you are unsure who to contact, please reach out to education@chfcanada.coop and we will direct you to the appropriate person.