Get the Skills to Become a Community Support Worker
Professional Support Worker Training in as Little as 22 Weeks
Community Support Workers offer support, services, and encouragement to people with mental health issues, substance abuse problems, developmental challenges, or physical disabilities. Professionals in this field are employed by a variety of community social services programs and educational assistance and have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives every day.
- Aug 11thCommunity Support Worker - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: Community Support Worker - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday Discovery Community College - Online Are you passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in your community? With Discovery Community College\'s 56-week Community Support Worker program, you can make a difference in your community and affect positive change in the lives of others.https://discoverycommunitycollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/triplePic2.pngDiscovery Community College
- Aug 25thCommunity Support Worker - Tuesday - Friday: Community Support Worker - Tuesday - Friday Discovery Community College - Online Are you passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in your community? With Discovery Community College\'s 56-week Community Support Worker program, you can make a difference in your community and affect positive change in the lives of others.https://discoverycommunitycollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/triplePic2.pngDiscovery Community College
- Aug 25thCommunity Support Worker - Tuesday - Friday (On-Site in Campbell River): Community Support Worker - Tuesday - Friday (On-Site in Campbell River) Discovery Community College - Campbell River 1130 Shoppers Row Campbell River BC Canada V9W 2C8 Are you passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in your community? With Discovery Community College\'s 56-week Community Support Worker program, you can make a difference in your community and affect positive change in the lives of others.https://discoverycommunitycollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/triplePic2.pngDiscovery Community College
- Nov 24thCommunity Support Worker - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday: Community Support Worker - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday Discovery Community College - Online Are you passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in your community? With Discovery Community College\'s 56-week Community Support Worker program, you can make a difference in your community and affect positive change in the lives of others.https://discoverycommunitycollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/triplePic2.pngDiscovery Community College
- Nov 30thCommunity Support Worker - Tuesday - Friday: Community Support Worker - Tuesday - Friday Discovery Community College - Online Are you passionate about helping the most vulnerable people in your community? With Discovery Community College\'s 56-week Community Support Worker program, you can make a difference in your community and affect positive change in the lives of others.https://discoverycommunitycollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/triplePic2.pngDiscovery Community College
- Education Assistant Certificate
- Education Assistant & Community Mental Health Certificate
- Social Service Worker Certificate
- Social Service Worker and Community Mental Health Certificate
- Community Mental Health Certificate
- Community Support Worker Diploma (all specialities)
- Community Support Worker (international learner co-op)
If you’re a patient and non-judgmental “people person” looking to get started in a respected professional career where you can help others, you could be well-suited to succeed as a professional Community Support professional.
Community Support Worker
56-Week Diploma
- Expected Job Openings in BC (2022-2032): 11,460**
- Occupations include Community Development Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Addictions Worker
**https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/social-and-community-service-workers visited on March 20, 2026.
Community Support Worker Program
Upon successful completion of this program, you will have the skills to facilitate effective working and personal relationships with individuals in ways that actively support the differently abled person’s ability to cope with daily concerns of living, and with emotional and psychological development.With diverse career outcomes in the community, DCC offers 7 certificate and diploma options tailored to your interests:
- Community Support Worker Diploma (all specialties) – 1154 hours, 56 weeks
- Community Support Worker: Education Assistant and Community Mental Health Certificate – 804 hours, 39 weeks
- Community Support Worker: Social Service Worker and Community Mental Health Certificate – 804 hours, 39 weeks
- Community Support Worker: Social Service Worker Certificate – 454 hours, 22 weeks
- Community Support Worker: Education Assistant Certificate – 454 hours, 22 weeks
- Community Support Worker: Community Mental Health Certificate – 454 hours, 22 weeks
- Community Support Worker with Cooperative Work Experience Diploma – 2044 hours, 104 weeks (International Learners)
Locations:
Delivery: On campus & online with practicum placements in your local community.
Discovery Community College programs are not eligible for Post Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs).
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Revised: June 2025.
Applicants must meet the following requirements prior to acceptance into the program.
- Grade 12 graduation from BC secondary school or equivalent*, or equivalent* from another school system, or be a mature applicant (19 years of age on the first day of class).
- Satisfy one of the following language proficiency requirements:
- Completion of three years of full-time secondary (grades 8-12), or two years if the grades are 10, 11, 12, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages **.
- This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
- Completion of two years of full-time post-secondary education, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages ** (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, IQAS.)
- Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
- Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
- Completion of three years of full-time secondary (grades 8-12), or two years if the grades are 10, 11, 12, in English, in a country where English is one of the principal languages **.
Mature student applicants.
- If the applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as described above, then:
- Provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and
- Complete an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation Reading, Writing, WritePlacer) with these minimum scores:
- Reading 230
- Writing 230
- WritePlacer 4
English language proficiency tests.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic, IELTS general, IELTS academic online)
- Overall score of 5.5 minimum
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
- Overall score of 46 minimum
- Canadian Academic English language Assessment (CAEL or CAEL Online)
- Overall score of 40 minimum
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP General or CELPIP Online)
- Scores of listening 6, speaking 6, reading 5, writing 5 minimum
- Duolingo English test (DET)
- Overall score of 95 minimum
- Pearson test of English (PTE) academic
- Overall score of 43 minimum
- Cambridge English qualifications B2 first exam (FCE)
- Overall score of 160 or “C” minimum
- Cambridge linguaskill
- Overall level of B2 minimum
- LanguageCert academic
- Overall level of B2 minimum
- The Michigan English test (MET)
- Overall level of B2 minimum
- iTep academic
- Overall score of 3.5 minimum
- Eiken
- Placement of Grade Pre-1 minimum
Applicants must meet with a DCC official and complete the required documents.
*Equivalent:
For detailed information about equivalencies please speak with your DCC Admissions Advisor.
**Countries list:
For the list of countries where English is one of the principal languages speak to your DCC admissions advisor.
Applicants interested in working with a school district upon graduation from the Community Support Worker program should note that many school districts require graduation from grade 12 for employment.
Domestic Fees
Community Support Worker Full Diploma Fees
Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $225.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $17,184.11
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $562.81
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $18,504.86
Community Support Worker –
Community Mental Health Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $105.00
Tuition: $8,626.62
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $171.90
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $9,336.92
Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $105.00
Tuition: $8,655.02
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $250.89
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $9,448.25
Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $105.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $8,649.21
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $391.87
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $9,640.47
Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health
Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $13,711.40
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $342.84
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $14,686.18
Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health
Certificate Fees
Application Fee: $125.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $13,672.55
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $391.87
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $14,748.81
International Fees
Community Support Worker Full Diploma (International) Fees
Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $255.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $22,339.34
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $562.81
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $23,710.09
Community Support Worker Full Diploma (International) w/Co-Op Fees
Application Fee: $150.00
Criminal Record Check Fee: $28.00
Tuition Fee: $24,258.00
Textbooks & Supplies: $603.71
Total: $25,070.95
Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $105.00
Tuition: $11,251.53
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $250.89
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $12,094.76
Community Support Worker –
Community Mental Health Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $105.00
Tuition: $11,214.61
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $171.90
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $11,974.91
Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $105.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $11,251.53
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $391.87
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $12,285.25
Community Support Worker –
Education Assistant & Community Mental Health
Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Tuition: $17,824.82
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $342.84
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $18,849.60
Community Support Worker –
Social Service Worker & Community Mental Health
Certificate (International) Fees
Application Fee: $175.00
Criminal Record Check: $28.00
Tech Fee: $190.00
Lab Fee: $50.00
Tuition: $17,774.31
First Aid: $195.00
Foodsafe: $60.00
Textbooks: $391.87
Supplies: $15.00
Total: $18,900.57
Why Upskilling is Essential in Today’s Job Market
Like many Canadians, you may be concerned about the rising cost of living and the need to find ways to increase your income potential. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, training to obtain new qualifications could be a great solution.
Discovery Community College is dedicated to offering convenient, supportive, and affordable career training. With a range of funding options available, there has never been a better time to invest in upskilling. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get ahead in today’s job market.
Becoming a Qualified Community Support Worker
If you’re looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career, look no further than a career in community support.
During this program, you will learn:
- Life Span Development
- Mental Health
- Supportive Care
- Child Development
- And more!
Career Opportunities
This program provides learners with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to work in a personal support role with youth and adults in a variety of community settings. Ready-to-work graduates are qualified to work in areas such as:
- Community Social Service Agencies
- Support Services
- Group Home Settings
- The Public School System as support personnel for children with special needs
- And more!
There has never been more funding for career training than there is right now. A variety of funding opportunities may be available to you, including WorkBC, Student Aid BC, and employment grants. An experienced Financial Aid Representative is available to answer any questions you may have, can assist with potential funding applications and help you discover the best options for your specific needs.
Is a Career as a Community Support Worker Right for You? Take the Discovery Community College “Community Support Worker Career Training Readiness Quiz”
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get your Community Support Worker career training readiness score now >>
Community-Based Practicum
At Discovery, we believe that you should not only complete training with theoretical knowledge, but with real experience in the industry. That’s why learners in the Community Support Worker Program will complete a 6-week practicum during their training.
Convenient Learning Options
At Discovery Community College, you don’t have to put your life on hold to start career training. We offer accessible learning including on-campus, online and blended on-campus and online learning options.
Is a Rewarding Community Support Worker Career Right For You?
If you’re interested in learning more about Community Support Worker and exploring whether this might be the career path for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.
Our friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Representatives are happy to answer any questions you may have and can help with everything from courses to financial aid.
To speak with an Admissions Rep right away, give us a call at 1-877-315-5241.