1. “The raccoon wouldn’t let me on the bus.”
DOUGLAS COLLEGE
ASE Progams
Bob Logelin

2. Sometimes it takes a community…

4. Common Program Areas in Post Secondary for PWD
Career Readiness or Career Preparation Programs
Skill Development Programs Leading to Employment or Further Education

5. DOUGLAS COLLEGE Program Areas Include
Career Preparation:
Consumer and Job Preparation
Career and Employment Preparation
Transitions Program (SD 43)
Skill Training:
Light Warehouse Training
Customer Service and Cashier Training
Food Services
Electronic and General Assembly
Retail and Business Services

6. All Programs
All programs are designed for students who will not be attending UT programs in the near future and who have employment as their primary goal.
All students need to be independent in transportation.
Funding for tuition available for over 90% of students.
All students will participate in an intake interview with the instructor, prior to acceptance.

7. Career Preparation Programs

8. Typical Actor in Hollywood

9. Career and Employment Preparation (CAEP)
New Westminster Campus
One semester (14 week) program; Sept and Jan
Students with disabilities or barriers to employment
Strengths / needs; interests; labour market information to make informed career choices
Able to read newspaper; work in groups / classroom setting    
Funding available for most students
Contact Donna Lowndes (604)

10. Consumer and Job Preparation (CJP)
New Westminster Campus
12 month program
Specific to students with developmental disabilities
Interests > labour market > skills / needs; focus on work readiness / skills, work exploration, future directions
Reside in: Tri-Cities; Burnaby; New Westminster
Must be referred by CLBC
Independent in transportation
Tuition paid by CLBC and Douglas College
Contact Linda Delparte at (604)

11. Transitions Program David Lam Campus SD 43 and beyond; Grade 12 or 12+
One semester
Students with developmental disabilities
Results in development of education / employment goals and plans
Work experience / exploration
Contact Irina Tzoneva (604)

12. Skill Training Programs

13. Light Warehouse Training (LWT)
David Lam Campus, Coquitlam
September and January
One semester (14 weeks)
Students with barriers to education & employment  
Opportunity to obtain certificates:
Forklift Operators Certificate
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Occupational Health and Safety, and more…
Read newspapers / articles
Very strong employment opportunities exist
Funding available for most
Contact Chris Gibson at

14. Sun-Man Lui BOE: Retail and Business Services
When Sun-Man Lui started work at Price Waterhouse in 1996, he wasn’t expecting a company merger that would change the name to PricewaterhouseCoopers and place him in a new location and department. But he took this in stride, demonstrating his willingness to adapt. Sun-Man now works in the Tax Library as a File Clerk.
“Sun-Man’s independent work style, willingness to learn, concentration and thoroughness make him a valuable member of the Tax Department,” says Assistant Librarian Eleanor Kendall. “His work is always accurate and he does not shy away from asking questions. In fact, his performance has been rated as commendable on numerous occasions.”
“The BOE program provided a good solution for one of our high-turnover positions,” says Human Resources Manager Anna-Maria Parente. “Sun-Man now has a satisfying and challenging job, and we have continuity and low turnover in our Tax Library. The College support was excellent, with proactive trainers who were always available for assistance.”
Sun-Man Lui

15. Customer Service and Cashier Training
David Lam Campus, Coquitlam
September and January
One semester (14 weeks) 
Opportunity to obtain certificates:
World Host
POS Cetification
Customer Service Basic Certificate
Read newspapers / articles
Very strong employment opportunities
Funding available for most
Contact Joy Conran at

16. Nicole Pinel BOE: Retail and Business Services (17 years)
Enthusiasm, a positive outlook and an independent attitude are just part of what makes Basic Occupational Education (BOE) graduate Nicole Pinel a great Customer Service Clerk at Canada Safeway.
“Nicole is an upbeat and pleasant employee,” says Assistant Manager Peter Junker. “She displays good customer relations, and has the ability to take on tasks without supervision.”
Nicole is one of over three hundred employees at Safeway’s Sunwood location. “I’m a strong advocate for Douglas College’s programs and the hiring of their graduates,” says Manager Gord McCallum. “The BOE grads have positive attitudes, enjoy their work and are very willing to undertake site-specific training, something that is not always the case with new employees.”
Nicole Pinel

17. Basic Occupational Education (BOE)
New Westminster Campus
Averages 10 months in length
Lab (hands-on), classroom, practicum
Continuous intake and exit
Students trained to enter employment in
Food Services
Electronic and General Assembly
Retail and Business Services
Contact Bob Logelin at (604)

18. BOE: Electronic and General Assembly
As a graduate of Douglas College’s Basic Occupational Education (BOE) Electronic and General Assembly program, Denis was the ideal employee for Silent Witness Enterprises Ltd., a company that designs and manufactures video camera systems.
“Denis’s thoroughness, attention for detail and ability to remain focused so impressed us during his practicum that he was asked to apply for a regular position,” says Production Manager Darren Jarvis.
The nature of the job at Silent Witness requires employees who are flexible and prepared to learn new skills at a moments notice. Management at Silent Witness are motivated to hire graduates from the College’s BOE program because they have hands-on experience and background knowledge required to handle the complexities involved in their line of work

19. Nicole Winiaszewski BOE: Food Services (19 years)
Working as a dishwasher for Beaver Foods in the Douglas College cafeteria, Nicole Winiaszewski does much more than keep the dishes clean. Due to the company’s policy of cross-training, Nicole is constantly expanding her skills in other areas such as the salad bar, steam table, cash, catering and customer service.
“Nicole is a very committed, conscientious, and goal-oriented individual who works well with management and staff,” says Director of Food Services Lisa Crosbie. “She promotes the value of the company’s products and ensures good customer relations through her enthusiasm, willingness to learn and good listening skills.”
“Our partnership with the BOE program has a lot of benefits for us,” Lisa continues. “We have access to highly trained practicum students who are familiar with the duties involved in the food services area. It also allows us to train and evaluate potential employees in our own facility.”
Nicole Winiaszewski

20. Employment Specialist 527-JOBS
Employment supports upon completion
Data base of over 1,000 employers
Established relationships with programs
Match student potential to employer needs
Support during training phase
Workplace information sessions
Future re-training
One year of support at no charge

21. Interested? Contact 527-JOBS
Employing a graduate?
Hosting a practicum student?
More information?

22. Characteristics Skill Training Programs
Hands-on
Min. criteria (entry)
Individualized
Self-paced
Continuous intake / exit
Industry based criteria
Business partnerships

23. Generic Areas to Address
The # 1 skill training issue among students with cognitive disabilities:
learning to work fast or developing a sense of urgency
Undoing bad habits (late, sick, behaviours)
Setting direction with students through planning processes

24. K-12 students would benefit from:
Help to motivate students by:
Engaging in regular activities, and taking responsibility for: volunteering, fitness, part-time work, etc.)
Becoming Active, Active, Active (fitness, indiv. & team sports, etc.)

25. Be Active!

26. Why Post Secondary,? Continued
“PWD with less than 4 years post secondary education are employed at more than double the rate of those with high school completion.”
(Getzel, Stodden & Briel, 1999)

27. Thank you.

28. Help to develop good work skills
Punctuality (not too early)
Attendance (sniffles)
Phone in sick (not Mom or Dad)
Independence in Transportation
Develop Independence in General
Age Appropriate or Work Clothing
Grooming / Hygiene
Group or Team Activities
Work Appropriate Knowledge / Procedures
Eg. Cell phones at work, camera use, etc.

29. While Still in School Develop Generic Skills
. Enhance student knowledge of the world of work
. Help students to learn to follow directions (task oriented)
. Help establish on-task behaviours
. Support mature students to leave, less mature students to stay

30. Douglas College ASE Programs Typical Learner
May have…
a disability or barrier
poor self esteem
poor academic skills
limited experience
limited skills
wants to work!

31. Disability Rarely Travels Alone!
Often compounded by:
Poverty
Communications
2nd disability
Abuse
Lack of supports
Transportation
Few options available

32. Employment Lessons Can’t predict success Readiness model not effective
Work settings will often accommodate a wide variety of skills & behaviours
People (often) don’t generalize skills
Problems can’t improve in some settings (classroom; take home curric)
Can only simulate to a limited extent
(Institute for Community Inclusion, Training Manual)