Consumer and Job Preparation Program for Adults with Special Needs

The Consumer and Job Preparation program is designed to assist students with developmental disabilities to learn about the personal, social and work skills needed to get and keep a job and to use community services. Students assess their interests and skills in class and through three different jobs in month-long work placements.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Career/Further Educational Opportunities

The program provides students with a transition to entry-level work, further vocational training, or volunteering. Students may go on to training in Food Services, Assembly, Childcare, Warehousing, Automotive, Retail or Supermarket careers. Graduates of the program have been employed in offices, stores, restaurants, warehouses, factories and at many other sites.

Location

This program is offered at the New Westminster Campus only.

Intake Dates/Application Deadline

**Application deadlines may be extended.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply by March 1 of each year.

EARLY ADMISSION
Although application and document deadlines may be identified for this program, we encourage all applicants to apply early and to submit all supporting documentation as early as possible. Those applicants who apply early and submit all documents early may be offered early admission.

Admission Requirements

Students do not require reading and writing skills, but must have a method of communication. The College can provide interpreters for students with hearing impairments who use American Sign Language. Students must want to work and be able to use public transit.

Referrals to the program are made through Community Living BC. Anyone interested in applying should contact the office in their community.

Referred students have an assessment interview at the College. Accepted students may be directly placed in the program or wait-listed. There is no tuition fee for this program. For further information about the program, please call 604-527-5171.

Program Duration

The program begins in September and runs for 12 months.

Program Content

Training occurs in the College, on the job and in the community and includes:

Personal Skills

• attendance
• being prepared
• hygiene and appearance
• community safety

Social Skills

• making conversation
• reading body language
• using the telephone
• asking for and following directions
• leisure planning

Human Awareness

• problem solving
• personal and general information
• public and private places
• assertive behaviour
• self-concept and self-advocacy

Work Skills

• rights and responsibilities
• work habits
• routines in the workplace
• interview skills
• job choice

In addition to job preparation training, the following classes help students balance work with other aspects of their lives.

Workplace Literacy

• reading workplace vocabulary
• time and money
• basic computer skills

Fitness

• walking, yoga and stretching
• gym sports
• weight room

Relationships and Sexuality

• dating: who, where, when and why
• contraception and abstinence
• marriage and family

At Douglas College, we believe that people facing physical, emotional and intellectual challenges have a right to education and training which will enable them to participate in productive, meaningful activities and contribute to their communities.