Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP)

Upgrade your skills to succeed

Our online application portal is currently down for maintenance. Applications for OCAP for fall 2026 will open again soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

School:

Locations:

Program length: 1 Year

Start date: September

Credential:

  • Aurora College Record of Achievement

Delivery:

  • Full Time
  • Online
  • Classroom
Application Form

Program Description

The Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP) is under the broader umbrella of the Aurora College School of Developmental 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 apprenticeships, OCAP prepares students to take apprenticeships in Categories A, B, and C offered at Aurora College.

OCAP includes a combination of 85 percent Adult Basic Education (ABE) and 15 percent Specialty Access Courses. The Aurora College School of Developmental Studies is transitioning the ABE curriculum to align to the British Columbia secondary curriculum. The ABE courses in OCAP range from the Fundamentals to Grade 11 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. OCAP is designed to be one academic year in length.

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 the prerequisite entry requirements for Aurora College certificate or trade programs. Students may enroll in this program on a full-time basis through either classroom or distance (online) delivery.

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

Program Eligibility

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

Applicant Assessment

Applicants must meet the program eligibility requirements and may be required to complete assessments to assess English (reading and writing) and math skills. The assessment methods are not pass or fail but are designed to place the learner at an appropriate level. Also, as part of the placement process, Aurora College staff will interview each participant to assess suitability for the program and course selection. If secondary school (grades 10-12) transcripts can be provided, a copy of the transcript will also be used to assist with the assessment.

Program Admission

Applicants must meet the program eligibility requirements. High school transcripts must be provided, and if necessary, Aurora College placement assessments may be administered to determine an applicant’s academic levels. Depending on the applicant’s chosen pathway, they will be advised/requested to submit a criminal record check and/or immunization record.

Program Information

  1. Access Program delivery varies at each campus location.

  2. The program consists of 85 percent ABE courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Computers and 15 percent Specialty Access courses. Not all courses are available at all locations.

  3. 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 are available through distance (online) delivery.

  5. Students attend all scheduled classes in accordance with College and/or Program policy.

Program Objectives

The Occupations and College Access Program 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, B, and C Apprenticeship programs offered at Aurora College
  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 A, B, and C Exams;
  5. Develop basic skills in specific subject areas using the Adult Basic Education (ABE) curriculum (Fundamentals to levels 10 or 11);
  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 to gain direct admission into college/university programs or employment.

Completion Requirements

Students must achieve 50 percent or greater in all courses, including the Specialty Access courses, unless otherwise identified in the course outline.

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.

Document of Recognition

Record of Achievement

Courses

Tuition & Fees Housing Information