Steps to Opportunities, Academics and Readiness

COMU 13 Communication Skills for Adult Living provides students with communication tools that are useful in adult life when communicating with employers, family, friends and community members. Students will participate in a variety of experiential learning activities to practice ways in which we communicate and participate in communication with others. Students will learn about elements of communication, effective communication techniques, asking questions, and responding to requests.

DISC 13 Discovery of Self for Adult Living provides students with the steps and processes that are helpful for transitioning into a new phase of adult living (e.g. graduating from high school and entering adulthood). As the students learns to participate in personal planning and goal setting, they will be able to share in self-reflection, recognize support resources, and communicate an awareness of community resources.

EMPS 13 Beginner Employment Skills provides students with learning opportunities for developing beginner employability skills. Students will practice valuable workplace skills in a variety of activities that match the student's abilities. Students will gain a better understanding of common employer expectations, communication techniques, and professionalism.

LLIT 13 Beginner Living Literacy Skills helps students develop basic literacy skills that are useful for everyday interactions in the community and at home. Students will learn how to use calendars and planners, compose short written correspondences, understand the impact of first impressions, and identify common signs and symbols used in our community.

COMU 15 Effective Communication I explores the various elements of communication. Students will examine the different ways in which we communicate and participate in communication with others. Topics include: elements of communication, questioning techniques, active listening, and basic technological skill development.

COMU 17 Effective Communication II builds upon the skills developed in COMU 15. Students will further examine communication techniques and how we engage with one another. Topics include: barriers to communications, paraphrasing techniques, active listening, responses to feedback and basic digital skill development.

DISC 15 Discovery of Self, Others and Community I provides students with the steps and processes required to assess their skills, abilities, habits, areas of excelled performance, compatibility with others and job roles, and areas for growth and development. Throughout the course, students will have the time to reflect upon self, others and the many opportunities available within their community. Students will research resources for self-advocacy, education, employment and social opportunities that can heighten their lives.

DISC 17 Discovery of Self, Others and Community II builds upon the skills developed in DISC 15. Students will further examine the importance of self-reflection. Students will learn how to match skills and abilities to employment and career planning, determine areas of support in the workplace, identify strategies for coping with change and stress, and develop personal goals around employment. Topics will also include: personal values, human rights, employment standards, workplace attitudes and styles.

FSWF 20 Food Handling I focuses on the aspects of food handling and preparation skills. The course topics are food knowledge and food preparation techniques.

FSWF 23 Food Handling II builds upon the skills developed in FSWF 20. The course will focus on the aspects of food handling and preparation skills. The course topics are food ingredient rationales, food storage, and how to follow a recipe properly.

FSWF 20 Food Handling I focuses on the aspects of food handling and preparation skills. The course topics are food knowledge and food preparation techniques.

FSWS 23 Space Management II builds upon the skills developed in FSWS 20.  In this course, students will continue to understand the layout of the food service area and the management of kitchen activities.  Students will work together as a team to set up the buffet table, patron tables, kitchen and food preparation area,  and task flow between the kitchen and service areas.  Topics will include: clear communication, job roles and responsibilities, problem solving, self-management and initiative.

RETC 20 Retail Sector in the Community offers students hands-on experiences in the retail sector. Course topics will expand upon skills developed in RETE 20 and further explore retail service skills in our local community. Students will gain confidence and an understanding of the retail sector through short-term practicum visits to local retail sites. Students will learn about and practice time management, effective workplace communication, positive workplace attitudes and habits, excellent customer service, safe workplace procedures and understanding employer’s expectations.

RETE 20 Exploration of Retail Skills exposes students to a variety of retail sector skills. Course topics will focus on retail service skills that are relevant to our local community. Students will gain confidence and an understanding of the retail sector through various practicum visits to local retail sites. Students will learn about workplace values, professional appearance, acceptable communication skills, positive workplace interactions and common workplace documentation.

RETS 20 Retail Sector Skills explores more specific retail sector skills. Students will gain confidence and an understanding of a certain retail sector through a long-term practicum based in the community. Students will learn about important aspects of the workplace, such as understanding employer’s expectations, industry standards, evaluation in the workplace, workplace rules, policies and safety considerations.

ARTC 20 Art Appreciation and Community Connections I provides students the opportunity to conduct research in the local community to learn how their art of choice is relevant and impactful. Students will find out about the local (or provincial or national) art scene and reach out to artists to learn about their lives, their craft, and what it means to be an artist. A focus will be on exploring introductory mentorship connections.

ARTC 23 Art Appreciation and Community Connections II builds upon the skills and connections that were developed in ARTC 20. In this course, students will continue to research the local community to witness how their art of choice is relevant, and impactful. Students will find out more information about the art genre, skills used in the art form and how to become more attentive to quality craftsmanship. These skills will be developed through more established mentorship exploration and connections.

ARTE 20 Exploring the Arts I explores art and the area of art as per the determined theme of the class, or as per discussion with the instructor. Students will have the opportunity to distinguish the unique aspects of the art form, practice and learn skills, and practice evaluation and interpretation skills. The focus of this course is exploration of skills and interests.

ARTE 23 Exploring the Arts II builds upon the skills developed in ARTE 20. In this course, students will continue to explore art and the area of art as determined in ARTE 20. Students will discover the unique aspects of the art form by practicing and learning skills, and learn evaluation and interpretation skills. The focus of this course is exploration of skills and interests.

AGRC 20 Invasive, Native, Local and Imported Plants in our Community I connects students to the local community to learn about local agriculture, invasive and native plants, and food security. Students will research local agriculture and meet with local community agencies to build upon their knowledge and understanding of food, agriculture and related relevant issues. Students will develop positive communication techniques, build confidence and demonstrate positive behaviours essential for building successful workplace relationships.

AGRC 23 Invasive, Native, Local and Imported Plants II in our Community II builds upon the skills and knowledge of AGRC 20. This course will further connect students to the local community to learn about local agriculture, invasive and native plants and food security. Students will research local contacts to build upon their knowledge and understanding of important issues. Students will continue to practice positive communication techniques, build confidence, and demonstrate positive behaviours essential for building successful workplace relationships.

AGRE 20 Exploring Garden Basics I introduces students to basic gardening techniques and gardening knowledge. Students will identify plants, common weeds, garden techniques, types of gardens and learn how to design a basic garden to achieve seasonal sustainability. Furthermore, students will develop skills and habits essential for employment, demonstrate safe work practices, and practice effective workplace communication.

AGRE 23 Exploring Garden Basics II builds upon skills developed in AGRE 20. This course continues to explore gardening techniques and gardening knowledge. Students will expand upon their abilities to identify plants and common weeds, to plant a garden and to design a basic garden to achieve seasonal sustainability. The framework of the class will enhance their skills and habits essential for employment, safety, and effective workplace communication.

ENTB 20 My Business Development - Skill Building I offers students the opportunity to explore a specific area of business and learn skills beyond a more basic level, as their abilities allow them to at this time. The intention is that once students have gathered an overall appreciation of business, they can now begin to explore the business model and skills associated with that field. The focus of this course is to develop a mastery of skills and to ensure quality production.

ENTB 23 My Business Development - Skill Building II builds upon the skills developed in ENTB 20. Students will be able to explore a specific area of business and learn skills beyond a more basic level as their abilities allow them to at this time. Once students have gathered an overall understanding of the business market, they will continue to practice and perfect their skills more deeply. The focus of this course is to develop a mastery of skills and to ensure quality production.

ENTC 20: Connecting to Community Members I offers students the opportunity to research how their business idea is relevant and impactful within the local community. Students will find out about the local business scene, and reach out to business leaders to find out what it means to be a business-person. A focus will be on mentorship exploration and connections.

ENTC 23: Connecting to Community Members II builds upon the information gathered and skills developed in ENTC 20. Students will continue to research the local community and how their business is relevant and impactful. Students will find out more information about the business market, skills used in the business field and how to become more attentive to quality craftsmanship. These skills will be developed through more established mentorship exploration and connections.

MENT 30 Exploring Mentorship Skills I provides students with an opportunity to be a mentee with an instructor-mentor, so they learn and experience the phases of mentorship. Student mentors will be active and important leaders in the classroom as well, further enhancing skills of self and group awareness, initiation of tasks, and recognizing requirements for job completion. Throughout the term, students will meet with their mentor to reflect on learning and review important aspects of constructive feedback, problem solving skills and decision-making skills. Skills developed in this course will prepare the foundation for the following course MENT 33: Exploring Mentorship Skills 2.

MENT 33 Exploring Mentorship Skills 2 builds on the skills and processes achieved in MENT 30. It provides students with an opportunity to be a mentor with a student-mentee, upon agreement, so they can demonstrate their understanding of the phases of mentorship. Throughout the term, students will meet with their mentee to reflect on learning, offer important constructive feedback, develop and utilize problem solving skills and decision-making skills.

PTFO 30 Portfolio Building 1 focuses on creating a document to track learning, reflections, and resources for goal-setting, mentorship skills, and life-long learning beyond the college framework. Students will create a visual and written representation of their processes for learning and achieving a personal goal. The portfolio will become a useful toolkit for the following course, PTFO 33.

PTFO 33 Portfolio Building 2 builds upon the document established in PRFO 30, with a new focus on a professional or community-based goal, setting the stage for life-long learning after college graduation. Students will focus on goal development, progress strategies, and self-evaluation skills. Students will become more confident as they understand how they learn, build personal success, and learn how to maintain personal and professional growth post-graduation.

COLL 12 College Success – Skills for Transitioning to College Life I introduces the College experience to prospective students of Accessible Education and Training (AET), such as students transitioning from high school.  Students will be able to explore the college course programming.  Furthermore, the instructor and student can determine if it is a good fit to continue on with regular AET program options. 

COLL 13 College Success – Skills for Transitioning to College Life II further continues the introduction to College routines for prospective students transitioning to the Accessible Education and Training (AET) Program.  This course is for a student who needs more time to develop skills for college and finding strategies for independence and success in the college environment.  Students will be identified for taking this course after discussion with the instructor to pinpoint goals for success and transition into the AET Program.

ESSI 01 Expression of Self through Sign 1, introduces learners to the basics of Signed English in a group learning environment. The course allows students an opportunity to engage with peers and practice basic communication skills, while learning the beginnings of Signed English.

ESSI 02 Expression of Self through Sign, builds on ESSI 1 to further familiarize learners with Signed English and to develop an increased awareness of self. Students experience aspects of teamwork through interpersonal communication and negotiating a diverse learning environment.