Pre-trades programs are often delivered at the community level, through learning centres based in Aboriginal communities or on-reserve. Trades and apprenticeship programs are offered at institutions’ main campuses because of the equipment requirements for these programs. As such students in community-based pre-trades programs are required to transfer to college/institute main or regional campuses for their trades or apprenticeship programs.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs, also referred to as upgrading or college prep programs are offered by all colleges and institutes. More than half of respondent institutions indicated that they offer Aboriginal-specific ABE programs, this includes the two participating Aboriginal institutions, NVIT and SIIT. Otherwise Aboriginal learners at mainstream institutions participate in regular ABE programs. The relevance and the importance of offering ABE for Aboriginal learners is supported by the most recent 2001 Census data which confirmed that Aboriginal people have a greater tendency to go back for post-secondary later in life.
ABE programs enable adults who are in need of upgrading to acquire the necessary skills to be successful in post-secondary programs by completing prerequisite courses required for entry to college or university. NVIT reported that that ABE also provides opportunities for adults to learn about their own Aboriginal language and culture and fosters personal development because of the safe, caring and culturally-appropriate environment provided by Aboriginal institutions.
Yukon College has an interesting program, the First Nations Access Program, which offers First Nations students the opportunity to study college prep courses while participating in a journey that explores personal awareness, self-empowerment, and Yukon First Nations traditional knowledge.
Success Story: Vancouver Community College
“E. came to Vancouver Community College (VCC) in hope of upgrading her English and Math skills. She enrolled in the Adult Basic Education Program. The College Foundations Program which is classroom based gave her the solid foundation she was looking for. She graduated with Adult Graduation
Certificate. E. applied to the Applied Business Technology Program at the Native Education Centre for 2003-2004. She won the award for Top Achievement. E. is now enrolled in the Aboriginal Justice Program and is doing quite well. When E. was a student at VCC she could be found in the First Nations Lounge discussing English grammar rules and exceptions with her classmates.?
Through the on-line survey, mainstream colleges and institutes were asked to identify and describe the Aboriginal-specific career and technical programs. Up to 80 percent of respondent mainstream institutions indicated that they offer career and technical programs specifically for Aboriginal students. Colleges and institutes identified 63 different types Aboriginal-specific programs which are categorized and listed below.