<p>This program leads to a Red Seal certification. Visit our <a href="/go/plan/trades">Trades page</a>.</p>

The Building Employment Skills and Training Certificate supports you in achieving educational, vocational, and personal development goals. The educational focus is on developing student success skills, work readiness skills, employment awareness, and the development of appropriate workplace attitudes, values and behaviours. Your course work will help develop communication, assertiveness, stress management, and conflict resolution skills. You will also participate in employment exploration and work experience in the community.

Building Employment Skills and Training (BEST) Certificate

Okanagan College

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1. One of:

-Minimum 19 years of age*
-Minimum 18 years of age and have been out of the public school system for at least 12 months*
-School leaving Certificate

Note(*): Any applicant not meeting the age requirements must be recommended for admission by a secondary school principal or counselor and be interviewed by the ASE Admissions Committee. The recommendation and interview information of the underage applicant will be referred to the Dean. The applicant will be admitted only if approved by the Dean and space is available. In cases of underage admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the achievement of specific educational and behavioural standards outlined in an individual performance contract.

2. All students must participate in an intake interview with the ASE Admissions Committee to assess the following attributes. BEST students must: 
Have demonstrated the ability to learn and participate in a group setting
Have demonstrated emotional stability - have no behavioral or emotional problems that would significantly interfere with the learning or safety of self or others
Provide documentation of an identified learning difficulty
Have demonstrated the ability to make routine decisions independently
Have demonstrated the ability to make their own appointments and schedules
Have demonstrated basic literacy skills (Grade four reading and/or listening comprehension)
Have demonstrated the ability to use public transportation or other independent means of accessing transportation
Have the desire to explore vocational options
Have motivation to participate in this program
Must be able to participate in activities outside classroom time as planned by the ASE liaison
Must be able to maintain admission requirements throughout the program in order to continue participating

3. Submit at least two documents indicating an identified learning difficulty and commitment to learning*:
Psycho-educational assessment
Records of previous participation in special or supported programs in a public institution or school
Documentation of learning difficulty from a physician or medical specialist
Referral from Community Living B.C. (CLBC)
Recommendation from an instructor in OC Adult Upgrading Department, ASE Department, another college or high school
Referral from a community agency

Note(*): Documentation must be provided at your own effort and expense. 

4. One letter of reference commenting on the student's suitability for the BEST program from a work-related or volunteer source (ex. employer, work experience coordinator, employment counsellor, etc.)

Academic Admission Requirement

 If you lack appropriate documentation, you may be admitted conditionally at the discretion of the Dean in consultation with the department chair and/or instructor. In cases of conditional admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the achievement of specific educational and behavioural standards outlined in an individual performance contract. 

Admission Advice

Applications may be submitted starting on the first business day in October each year for all intakes throughout the subsequent 11 months. Early application is strongly recommended. For details, see okanagan.bc.ca/apply.

Okanagan College

Building Employment Skills and Training (BEST) Certificate

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