Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP)

Program: Occupations and College Access Program
School: Developmental Studies
Delivery Method: Classroom 
Program Duration: One year 
Delivery Location: Aurora Campus, Inuvik, Thebacha Campus, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife North Slave Campus. 

The Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP) is under the broader umbrella of the Aurora College School of Development Studies. The OCAP Program provides a combination of prerequisite and college preparation courses to enable students to enter the following Aurora College post-secondary programs: Office Administration, Personal Support Worker, Early Childhood Development, and Trades and Apprenticeship. The OCAP prepares students to take the Category 1 Trades Entrance Exams to enter the following Trades Programs: Carpentry, Housing Maintainer, Camp Cook, and Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO).

The OCAP includes a combination of 85% Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) and 15% Specialty Access Courses. The Aurora College School of Developmental Studies has developed ALBE curriculum which includes six levels of study. The ALBE Courses in OCAP range from the 130 to 140 levels.

Courses in this program enable students to learn or relearn skills needed to meet employment, personal or educational goals.  Participants in the Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP) enroll in a program of study according to their career goals and academic levels.  Because of this, time spent in the program will vary for each individual.

Due to the extensive range of courses available, the course offerings will vary at each Aurora College campus location. The courses for every Aurora College Career Pathway may not be available at each campus. Participants mainly enroll in the program to meet prerequisite entry requirements for Aurora College certificate or trade programs. Students may enroll in this program on a full-time or part-time basis through either classroom or distance delivery.

Aurora College has developed a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process to ensure the ALBE curriculum used in the Access Programs is current and relevant. 

Individuals must be at least seventeen years of age and meet specific academic prerequisites depending on career pathway of choice.

Applicants must meet the program eligibility requirements. The Adult Literacy and Basic Education Student Intake Package may be administered to determine an applicant’s academic levels. Applicants complete the Adult Literacy and Basic Education Student Intake Package to assess English (reading and writing) and math skills. The tools are not pass or fail, but designed to place the learner at an appropriate level. Also, as part of the placement process, Aurora College staff may interview each participant to assess suitability for the program. If secondary school (grades 10-12) transcripts can be provided, a copy of the transcript will also be used to assist with the assessment.

Applicants will be admitted to this program based on their ability to meet the program eligibility requirements. Applicants should also include a personal letter indicating why they want to enter the program.

1. Access Program delivery varies at each campus location.
2. The program consists of 85% ALBE courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and 15% Specialty Access courses. Not all courses are available at all locations.
3. Full-time and part-time students are placed in a program of study based on their interests and needs.
4. Most courses are delivered in the classroom, but some courses may be delivered through distance delivery.
5. Students attend all scheduled classes in accordance with College and/or Program policy.

The Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP) will provide the students with the opportunity to:

1. Achieve prerequisite courses for entry into the post-secondary programs at Aurora College (Office Administration, Personal Support Worker, and Early Childhood Development);
2. Achieve prerequisite courses necessary to succeed in the Category 1 Trades and Apprenticeship Programs offered at Aurora College (Carpentry, Housing Maintainer, Camp Cook, and Heavy Equipment Operator);
3. Develop study and workplace skills to prepare students to be successful in their selected post-secondary program and in their future careers;
4. Prepare students to successfully write the Trades Entrances Category 1 Exams;
5. Develop basic skills in specific subject areas using Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) curriculum (levels 130 and 140);
6. Expand critical and creative thinking skills;
7. Acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to meet personal, employment or educational goals;
8. Explore a range of learning experiences;
9. Apply new knowledge to different situations;
10. Develop career pathways leading directly to employment or entry into further training programs through the study of carefully chosen courses;
11. Identify skills, knowledge and attitudes acquired through life experiences as well as course-based learning; and
12. Upgrade academic qualifications in order to gain direct admission into college/university programs or employment.

For all courses, levels 130 to 140, the student must achieve 50% or greater to complete the course. The students must achieve 50% or greater to complete the Specialty Access courses.

Aurora College Record of Achievement.