Explore employment options and gain practical experience in community-based work settings. Intended for adults with cognitive disabilities.
Career Awareness
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Develop a personal, education and career plan
- Describe reasonable education/workplace accommodations/adjustments and supports and use strategies to assist in skill acquisition
- Apply safety practices and principles at work
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner in the workplace, consistent with industry standards
- Work with limited direct supervision while developing an employable skill
- Apply health and wellness concepts to personal, educational, and employment goals
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
Career Awareness is 38 weeks with 26 weeks of classroom component alternated with 12 weeks of work experience.
The maximum allowable time for students to complete the program is 40 weeks.
The training needs of the student are met through a program that includes community awareness, generic work skills, specific skill training, career exploration, and work experience placements.
The program consists of classroom learning activities, three (3) work experiences, and two (2) planning meetings. Orientation and introduction to basic job readiness skills and career exploration is complemented by industry tours. Classroom learning components alternate with work experience placements suited to the student’s strengths and abilities.
Planning meetings monitor students’ progress in the program, set goals, and identify strategies for success. Participation of family members or support persons is at the student’s discretion.
Students benefit from a realistic and practical exposure to the workplace through work experience placements. Faculty work closely with students to determine interests and abilities when choosing work sites. The instructor provides ongoing support to the student while he/she is at a work experience site, and the student is expected to work independently once familiar with required duties.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Admission is based on two (2) screening interviews
- The first screening interview is with the CACE Student Services Assistant for Students with Disabilities to determine the applicant’s suitability for the program, according to an admission checklist
- If the applicant is successful in the first interview, they will have a second interview with the Career Awareness faculty
- Interviews are documented and a checklist is used to determine eligibility
- Applicants may be asked to sign a release of information so documentation can be provided to faculty to support the application
- Admissibility is based on the following criteria:
- Permission of the department
- Diagnosis or history that identifies difficulty with learning
- Comfort and tolerance of an alternative learning environment designed for students with diverse learning needs
- Proven motivation to work and perform tasks without ongoing direct supervision, supported by previous reports or assessments
- Ability and willingness to travel independently to the college and workplace
- A checklist is used to document behaviours, emotional problems, or medical conditions that could significantly impair learning or compromise the safety of the student and/or others
- Independently manage own medication
- Demonstrate appropriate personal hygiene, and have the ability to independently attend to personal care needs
Upon Acceptance
- Students in this program may be required to complete a CRC prior to their work experience placement. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. work experiences) or graduate.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- sincere motivation to work
- mature attitude
- stable living situation
- ability to operate independently in the community without supervision
- have a community support network
Courses *
The program consists of approximately 26 weeks of classroom activities and 12 weeks of supervised community work experiences matched to the student's interests and abilities.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CAAW 0631 | Education/Employment Exploration | 5 |
| CAAW 0632 | Employability and Workplace Skills | 5 |
| CAAW 0633 | Communication Skills | 5 |
| CAAW 0634 | Personal Awareness & Wellness | 4 |
| CAAW 0635 | Literacy, Numeracy, Digital Tech | 3 |
| CAAW 0636 | Job Search and Interview Skills | 4 |
| CAAW 0637 | Work Experience 1 for Career Awareness | 3 |
| CAAW 0638 | Work Experience 2 for Career Awareness | 4 |
| CAAW 0639 | Work Experience 3 for Career Awareness | 5 |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 1867 | |
| Student union | 64 | |
| College initiative | 108 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 75 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 398 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. For information and prices please contact cace@vcc.ca.
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you interested in this program?
- Sign up for an information session to learn about our Accessible Education and Training programs.
- After you have attended the information session, apply on EducationPlanner BC. You will need to know which program you would like to attend.
- After you apply, you will be contacted for an interview with an instructor. The instructor will help you determine the best option for you. Note: Applying does not guarantee you a seat in the course or program.
For more information or support with your application please contact cace@vcc.ca.
Get started
Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.