Upgrade your skills to succeed

Program: Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP)

School:

Locations:

Program length: 1 Year

Start date: September

Credential:

  • Aurora College Record of Achievement

Delivery:

  • Full Time
  • Online
  • Classroom
Tuition & Fees Housing Information

Program Description

The Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP) is under the broader umbrella of the Aurora College School of Development Studies. OCAP 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 trades in Categories A, B and C that are offered at Aurora College.

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 OCAP enrol in a program of study according to their career goals and academic levels.

The courses for every Aurora College Career Pathway may not be available at each campus. Participants mainly enrol in the program to meet prerequisite entry requirements for Aurora College certificate or trade programs. Students may enrol in this program on a full-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.

Program Eligibility

Individuals must be at least 17 years of age and meet specific academic prerequisites.

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 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 will be admitted to this program based on their ability to meet the program eligibility requirements.

Program Information

  1. 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 pathways are available at all locations.

  2. Full-time students are placed in a program of study based on their interests and needs.

  3. Most courses are delivered in the classroom, but some courses may be delivered through distance delivery.

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 Trades and 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, C Exams;
  5. Develop basic skills in specific subject areas using Adult Literacy and Basic Education 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.

Completion Requirements

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 OCAP Pathways Chart.

Click here to see the OCAP Pathways Chart.

Document of Recognition

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

Apply Online