Domestic students
TBD
Building Employment Skills and Training (BEST) Program
Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate Certificates are short programs focused on specific skills or subjects. They are a fast and flexible way to start a new career, upgrade your qualifications or gain professional recognition.
Delivery mode
Time commitment
Part-Time You take fewer courses at once and progress more slowly. This option offers more flexibility for work or personal commitments.
Duration
1 year
Program codes
- Code: BEST
Cost
TBD Domestic students: Please contact your campus
Location
- Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton or Salmon arm Full program offered in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon arm
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
This advanced level of Adult Special Education prepares students for additional education and careers.
This certificate program supports students to achieve their own, educational, vocational, and personal development goals. The educational focus is on developing student success skills and work readiness skills. Employment awareness and the development of appropriate workplace attitudes, values and behaviours are a focus of this program as well. All students will benefit in personal development through participation in course work which develops communication, assertiveness, stress management, and conflict resolution skills. Students will also participate in employment exploration and work experience in the community, facilitated by the ASE liaison. BEST is a 10-month program.
Program can not be retaken unless permission is given by the AFP Dean.
BEST replaces the former PACE program. PACE graduates cannot take the BEST program.
Admission and program requirements
Age Requirement:
- Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, or be at least 18 years of age and have been out of the secondary school system for at least 12 months, or have a school leaving certificate. Any applicant not meeting the age requirements must be recommended for admission by a secondary school principal or counselor and be interviewed by the ASE Admissions Committee. The recommendation and interview information of the underage applicant will be referred to the Dean. The applicant will be admitted only if approved by the Dean and space is available. In cases of underage admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the achievement of specific educational and behavioural standards outlined in an individual performance contract.
General Requirements:
- All students must participate in an intake interview with the ASE Admissions Committee.
BEST students must:
- Have demonstrated the ability to learn and participate in a group setting.
- Have demonstrated emotional stability - have no behavioral or emotional problems that would significantly interfere with the learning or safety of self or others.
- Provide documentation of an identified learning difficulty.
- Have demonstrated the ability to make routine decisions independently.
- Have demonstrated the ability to make their own appointments and schedules.
- Have demonstrated basic literacy skills (Grade four reading and/or listening comprehension).
- Have demonstrated the ability to use public transportation or other independent means of accessing transportation.
- Have the desire to explore vocational options.
- Have motivation to participate in this program.
- Must be able to participate in activities outside classroom time as planned by the ASE liaison.
- Must be able to maintain admission requirements throughout the program in order to continue participating
Eligibility for admission will be based on evidence of the above requirements being demonstrated in the assessment interview and must include at least two of the following (students must provide documentation at their own effort and expense):
- Psycho-educational assessment,
- Records of previous participation in special or supported programs in a public institution or school (ex: IEP or school transcript),
- Documentation of a learning difficulty from a physician or medical specialist,
- Referral from Community Living BC (CLBC), Recommendation from an instructor in Okanagan College Adult Upgrading Department, ASE Department, another college, or high school,
- Referral from a community agency.
Special Circumstances:
- Students who lack appropriate documentation may be admitted conditionally at the discretion of the Dean in consultation with the department chair and/or instructor. In cases of conditional admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the student’s achievement of specific educational and behavioral standards outlined in an individual performance contract.
A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.
Tuition and fees
- Domestic students: Please contact your campus
-
Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
-
All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
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