Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP)

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 Learning and Child Care, and Trades and Apprenticeship. OCAP prepares students to enter the following Trades Programs: Camp Cook and Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO); Fundamentals of Carpentry 1; Fundamentals of Electrical 1; and to write the Trades Entrance exams for Carpentry, Electrician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Housing Maintainer, Oil Heat Systems Technician and Plumber/Gasfitter B.

OCAP includes a combination of 85 percent Adult Literacy and Basic Education (ALBE) and 15 percent 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 basis through classroom and/or distance delivery. Distance delivery of courses may not be available every academic year.

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. Applicants may have to complete the placement tests 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.

1. Access Program delivery varies at each campus location.
2. The program consists of 85 percent ALBE courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and 15 percent Specialty Access courses. Not all courses are available at all locations.
3. Full-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 Learning and Child Care);
2. Achieve prerequisite courses necessary to succeed in the Category A and B Trades and Apprenticeship Programs offered at Aurora College (Camp Cook and Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO); Fundamentals of Carpentry 1; Fundamentals of Electrical 1; and to write the Trades Entrance exams for Carpentry, Electrician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Housing Maintainer, Oil Heat Systems Technician and Plumber/Gasfitter B.)
3. Develop study and workplace skills to prepare students to be successful in their selected post-secondary program and in their future careers;
4. Develop basic skills in specific subject areas using Adult Literacy and Basic Education curriculum (levels 130 and 140);
5. Expand critical and creative thinking skills;
6. Acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to meet personal, employment or educational goals;
7. Explore a range of learning experiences;
8. Apply new knowledge to different situations;
9. Develop career pathways leading directly to employment or entry into further training programs through the study of carefully chosen courses;
10. Identify skills, knowledge and attitudes acquired through life experiences as well as course-based learning; and
11. Upgrade academic qualifications in order to gain direct admission intocollege/university programs or employment.

For all courses, levels 130 to 140, the student must achieve 60 percent or greater to complete the course. The students must achieve 60 percent or greater to complete the Specialty Access courses.

Aurora College Post-Secondary Programs and other Colleges/Universities may require higher course pass marks for entrance into specified programs of study. The course completion requirements for an Aurora College Access Program Record of Achievement are determined by the chosen career pathway. See chart on page 38.

Students will receive a Record of Achievement based on completing courses in their selected career pathway.