Ontario education workers are being voluntarily redeployed to help places like long term care homes, women’s shelters and hospitals fight Covid-19.
Today, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said the redeployment will include education workers who aren’t currently involved in at-home learning.
“Available positions could include custodial or maintenence roles, children and youth service workers, social workers and educational assistants amongst others,” said Lecce.
The education workers will retain their jobs with school boards, but will also be fully-trained for their new roles. The redeployment is voluntary. Volunteers who are redeployed, will be eligible for Ontario’s temporary pandemic premium and emergency child care.
Redeployment is already occurring too – CUPE education workers are helping currently at a hospital in Kenora.
Lecce adds that no decision’s been made yet on the way forward in terms of reopening schools, which have been closed since mid-March.
Throughout #COVID19 I have been inspired by the number of people who have stepped up to support our most vulnerable. Today @Sflecce and I highlighted opportunities for education workers to help with staffing needs in critical areas. Learn more: https://t.co/7vOoU6wcFq pic.twitter.com/bUksuXCMMU
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 13, 2020
To watch today’s full Ontario government address, see below.
https://www.facebook.com/FordNationDougFord/videos/377381369833658/