Red River College has developed a significant number of access programs for Aboriginal learners, and in addition to the field specific access programs (Nursing, Business administration, Integrated Science and Technology and Pre-trades), Red River Colleges allows students accepted into other regular Red River College day programs to apply for funding and/or other support services through the Access Program office providing that they meet the basic criteria. Within the Access Model Program, provisions have been made to deliver support services to ensure and promote student success, including the advising, counselling and support services described in 3.3.
Over half of respondent colleges and institutes, both mainstream and Aboriginal offer pre-trades programs. These programs are designed to train Aboriginal students for entry into trades programs such as:
The purpose of these programs is to provide Aboriginal students with the skills necessary to succeed in trades and apprenticeship programs, with a view to increasing their participation and retention rates in these programs.