College Readiness

Program Delivery Location

Merritt
Community Based

Department Head

Stefan Zabek MA

Faculty
Mil Juricic
Faye Ahdemar
Roman Erinburg
Don Vincent
Stefan Zabek

Programs in this Department
BC Adult Graduation Diploma
College Readiness

The College Readiness program offers courses designed to help adults obtain prerequisite skills for entry to NVIT career/technical and/or academic programs. College Readiness is designed for the adult learner who did not complete high school or who needs to review high school level academic skills before advancing to post-secondary level study. Courses in the program help students to develop skills in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics and science at fundamental through provincial levels (literacy/numeracy through grade 12).

With a focus on helping students apply effective learning and study skills to the development of academic competencies various instructional approaches and methods are used. Students receive regular feedback about their progress and are given helpful guidance along the way. Instructors and instructional support professionals are available to provide on-going individual help and support. A primary goal is to help students to develop and achieve their own learning potential, to take control of their learning and to know how to access support.

Some of the College Readiness courses are offered during evening sessions. Many of the classes fill quickly and as such interested students are encouraged to register early for courses! For information regarding scheduling and course availability contact the department head.

En’owkin Centre Deliveries

The College Readiness Program offered at the En’owkin Centre is designed to validate cultural aspirations and identity, and motivate academic excellence. This program utilizes a cooperative project-based curriculum approach, rather than a textbook and test method. Students engage in real world projects of benefit to the larger community. Learning is "hands on" as much as possible. Past learning projects include publishing an Okanagan photo-history book of horse, ranch, and rodeo history; production of children’s videos adapted from traditional stories (from scriptwriting to video editing), and other culturally and socially relevant learning activities.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are subject to general NVIT admission requirements. All students who apply for admission to the CR program are assessed in reading, writing and mathematical skill areas. Applicants will have an interview with (the department head or) the Academic Planner to determine placement into courses at levels appropriate to their current abilities based on the results of these assessments. Applicants should complete assessments and registration before the first day of classes.

Notes: CR courses are tuition-free. However, students must pay the applicable Student Activity fees and if necessary lab fees in computer and science courses (see Fee Schedule). Adult learners who need financial assistance for books and other expenses and who do not qualify for social agency funding may apply to the Adult Basic Education Student Assistance Program (ABESAP). Please direct ABESAP inquires to the Financial/Academic Planners. A number of social/government agencies also sponsor or assist students.

Courses within this program can be used to qualify a student for the BC Adult Graduation Diploma which is the adult student equivalent of a High School Diploma. For more information about eligibility please refer to the BC Adult Graduation diploma information www.bced.gov.bc.ca or speak with the department head.

College Readiness courses at NVIT are provincially articulated and are therefore transferable to other BC post-secondary colleges and institutes.

BC Adult Graduation Diploma

The BC Adult Graduation Diploma is provincially recognized and is available to adults who take courses to complete graduation through a secondary school, adult education centre or a community college. Students must:

• be 19 years or older (may be 18 if out of school for at least a year providing NVIT accepts the student);

• complete three courses through enrolment in a course, or through Prior Learning Assessment, after enrolling in an Adult Program.

This Diploma requires completion of five courses which must include the completion of three courses in an Adult Program or through Prior Learning Assessment.

The courses needed to be completed for the Diploma include:

• ENGL 060 or ENGL 12/English 12 First Peoples; and

• MATH 050 or 051 or MATH 11; and

• three additional qualifying courses at the provincial (grade 12) level or higher, OR INST 050 and two provincial (grade 12) level or higher qualifying courses.

Qualifying Courses

• BIOL 060 Provincial Level Biology

• CHEM 060 Provincial Level Chemistry

• CRLS 060 (Provincial) - College Readiness Learning Skills

• ENGL 060 Literature and Composition

• INST 050 Indigenous Studies I

• INST 060 Indigenous Studies II

• MATH 050 Introduction to Algebra

• MATH 051 Advanced Algebra

• MATH 060 Provincial Level Math I

• MATH 061 Provincial Level Math II