Aurora College is streamlining its services by offering new access programs at all three of its campuses.
The institution says the programs are designed to make life easier for students who need academic upgrades in order to enter and succeed in different post-secondary programs.
The two programs – Occupations and College Access (OCAP) and University and College Access (UCAP) – will replace the seven programs currently offered.
Heather McCagg-Nystrom, vice president of community and extensions with Aurora College, told Moose FM the redesign follows an in-depth review that was conducted in 2012.
“That review provided us with a number of recommendations to improve and enhance our access offerings,” she said.
“We need to ensure that our students have the academic skills most needed in order to be successful.”
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The review found that students required stronger writing and research skills and other common skills to succeed in post-secondary programs.
Beginning in September 2016, McCagg-Nystrom says the new access programs will prepare students for entrance into selected certificate, diploma, degree, and trades programs.
“It’s almost like an individual education plan for that learner where they would take the prerequisite courses needed so that they can automatically move once that year is up,” she said.
Generally, McCagg-Nystrom says the programs will be 10 months in length, with terms starting in the fall and winter. Another goal, she says, is attracting more male learners.
“By streamlining the programs and creating these generic pathways, we’re hoping to target more men into our programs.
“Generally, in the past, we’ve had a high number of women in our programs.”
Meanwhile, in some communities, McCagg-Nystrom says some students haven’t even had the opportunity to take prerequisite courses for their program of choice.
The new programs will offered at campuses in Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Inuvik with some exceptions. Students registered in the programs will still be eligible for financial assistance.
To learn more, email [email protected].
