Course description
This introductory course is designed for students with learning difficulties or barriers to education and employment. It provides students with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for employment readiness. Recognizing the unique challenges these students face, the course offers a supportive learning environment that focuses on the key components of job success. The course covers essential workplace skills such as social and communication skills, problem-solving, self-advocacy, work safety, and interview techniques. Additionally, students will also explore career paths in retail and business services, food services, and electronics assembly, tailoring their learning to their strengths, knowledge, and unique challenges.
Course content
Topics to be explored include:
- Career development
- Knowledge of skills, strengths and interests
- Work-place communication and employability skills
- Problem-solving strategies
- Time management tools and time management strategies
- The interview process
- Workplace safety skills
Learning activities
Lecture (instructor-delivered lessons)
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the ÌÇÐÄvlog´«Ã½Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a mastery graded course. Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Mid-point and final self-assessments
- Demonstration of skills
- Regular attendance and participation in class activities
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor's course outline/syllabus.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, a successful student will be able to:
- Identify barriers to communication.
- Use strategies to overcome communication barriers while engaging in effective communication and active listening.
- Employ appropriate conversational skills.
- Demonstrate respectful interactions in a diverse, multi-cultural learning/work environment.
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
- Describe safe work practices as per WorkSafe BC guidelines.
- Identify and describe their strengths and limitations and analyze the impact of these on learning and workplace performance.
- Practice self-advocacy skills to effectively seek and implement strategies and solutions that enhance job success.
- Participate in job interview role plays to build confidence and improve interview techniques.
Textbook materials
Topic-relevant material will be provided throughout the course.