Services – Vocate

Employee Advocacy

By assisting our members with employment matters, we seek to create positive workplace dynamics.

The employee advocacy services include individual contract and employment rights advice, conflict resolution and facilitation services, legal support for employment-related matters including a mediation and arbitration process, and other employment contract and schedule matters including the annual compensation report.

Workplace Community Assistance

Through best practices, innovative workplace health frameworks and mutual restorative processes, we seek to assist in building and maintaining a healthy workplace.

The workplace community assistance services include workplace policy development, workplace legislation consultation, Contract Partnership Committee assistance, workplace relationship facilitation and restoration, mental health workshops and workplace health surveys.

Training & Certification

By providing workplace-related training, workshops and professional certification, we seek to help you grow in your expertise.

The training and certification services include workplace-related training and other workshops. Vocate is also the certifying body for the Christian School Teachers Certificate (CSTC), which provides training for and recognition of what it means to be a teacher in a Christian school.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Recognizing the inherent value and impact of all employees working at Christian schools is the driving force behind the work of Vocate. We exist to provide expert and professional employment services to all employees in order to build and foster healthy workplaces in Christian schools in Ontario and beyond.

Our services are arranged in three specific areas: employee advocacy, workplace community assistance, and training and certification. The employee advocacy services include individual contract and employment rights advice, conflict resolution and facilitation services, legal support for employment-related matters including a mediation and arbitration process, and other employment contract and schedule matters including the annual compensation report. The workplace community assistance services include workplace policy development, workplace legislation consultation, Contract Partnership Committee assistance, workplace relationship facilitation and restoration, mental health workshops and workplace health surveys. The training and certification services include workplace-related training and other workshops. Vocate is also the certifying body for the Christian School Teachers Certificate (CSTC), which provides training for and recognition of what it means to be a teacher in a Christian school.

Up until late 2018, Christian schools in Eastern Canada were supported by three different professional organizations: the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS), the Ontario Christian School Administrators Association (OCSAA) and Edifide, previously the Ontario Christian School Teachers Association (OCSTA). The OACS provided advice and assistance to school boards. OCSAA provided leadership and assistance to the principals. Edifide provided employment services and professional development primarily for teachers. In late 2018, these three organizations merged and two new organizations were born: Edvance Christian School Association and Edifide (now Vocate). The organization previously provided services in two areas: employment and professional development. This work was done, primarily, on behalf of teachers in Christian schools. With the creation of the new organization, Vocate now focuses its services in the realm of employment and these services are provided to all employees of Christian schools.