We highly encourage talented individuals with a background in teaching essential skills, especially those with a lived experience of incarceration, addiction, or racialization (e.g. BIPOC communities).

Working Hours

  • 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
  • 35-44 hours/week
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Required Experience & Qualifications

  • Experience in:

    • developing, delivering and facilitating essential skills curriculum (such as reading, writing, document use, numeracy, oral communication, working with others, critical thinking, comfort with digital technology, continuous learning) 

    • training at least 10 students in a classroom or online or hybrid setting 

    • facilitating workshops in diverse community settings

    •  providing one-on-one tutoring support to trainees

  • Technology skills in various software programs such as Google Workspace (Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, Meets), Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, Apple hardware products

  • Post-secondary education in education and/or social work would be ideal, but not required

  • Work experience in the construction or carpentry trades or a unionized work environment would be an asset, but not required

As a Person

  • Confident English speaker with clear speech that can be understood by a diverse group of people facing barriers to employment

  • Comfortable in a mentorship role 

  • Creative lesson planner 

  • Reliable, proactive and supportive team member

  • Has a get it done attitude

  • Has a passion for Building Up’s mission and dedication to the well being of our trainees/employees  

Required Physical Abilities

  • Can project voice in an open carpentry workshop space

  • Some light lifting may be required for general upkeep of the training facility

Who are we?

We are Building Up – Toronto’s leading social enterprise contractor. We are a registered pre-apprenticeship program and non-profit construction company that uses renovations and affordable housing development as an opportunity to train and employ individuals with barriers to employment to get into the construction sector. We are a collaborative and passionate staff of 35, and we support 100 trainees on an annual basis, of whom, 80% go on to full time careers in the construction field. Our goal is to transition people from trainees to tradespeople.

Building Up encourages applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity and inclusion in our work environment and the communities we serve.  We are also committed to providing accommodations at all stages of recruitment and employment in accordance with AODA.  If you are contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise the HR Manager if you require accommodation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Program Director, the Essential Skills Instructor will co-manage the training facility as well as teach courses intended to prepare trainees for a career in the trades.

  • Co-manage the training facility, which includes inventory management and ordering, health and safety compliance, opening and closing the training centre, and cleaning up at the end of the day 

  • Develop curricula and plan course content and methods of instruction that accommodates trainees’ diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, experiences and individual learning styles

  • Present engaging lectures in a classroom or online or hybrid setting

  • Facilitate discussions, hold space for a diverse group of trainees, which includes de-escalating conflict during a discussion

  • Supervise, monitor and support students, including after-teaching hours support/mentorship

  • Mark assignments, and administer oral, written, or performance tests to measure student progress and to evaluate training effectiveness

  • Note trainee attendance, progress and challenges weekly

  • Create individualized education plans for trainees who require additional academic support

  • Mentor and coach trainees, balancing tough love with compassion

  • Keep trainee information private and confidential

  • Assist the Program Director with other administrative-related projects, or occasional substitute teaching as required

  • Collaborate and communicate with the Program Team effectively and take initiative to support other departmental priorities when capacity allows

  • Pick-up supplies required for program facilitation