Employment Preparation, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Area of Study

Upgrading & Preparatory

Study options

Full-time

Work experience

None

Open to International

Length

15 weeks

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At a glance image

Applied, entry level, hands-on learning

Start in September or January!

Your road map to a satisfying career

With our help and support, you’ll learn entry-level employment skills, obtain external certifications, get practical workplace experience, and develop the confidence to pursue further learning, volunteering and employment opportunities.

Educational options

Certificate in Employment Preparation: Essential Employment Skills Specialization
Certificate in Employment Preparation: EARTH Gardening Specialization

Upgrading programs and courses are tuition-free for domestic students. The Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) will continue to cover the cost of textbooks and student and registration fees for eligible students.

Get started with Employment Preparation where you will develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge and practices that prepare you for entry-level employment training. This program is meant to be completed in 30 weeks with you learning at your own pace and level. You'll explore interests, values and opportunities so you can set goals and develop a learning plan to build essential skills for life, learning and work. Through ongoing guidance and support, you'll explore lifestyle practices that develop resilience while connecting with resources and exploring opportunities for learning, work and community connection that reflect your abilities, interests, and values.

Programs that fit you

Whether you're looking for entry-level skills, creative hands-on learning, or a training environment that suits how you learn best, Employment Training and Preparation (ETP) programs provide options.

A supportive learning environment

We offer flexible learning programs that start where you are now and provide a foundation to help you develop the confidence to pursue further learning, volunteering and employment. We will support you to connect with the college community and enjoy meaningful employment experiences.

Whether you love getting your hands in the dirt or working with people, our supportive staff will help you grow.

Sharpen your skills!

Gain customer service, time management and communication skills. You'll learn telephone and interview skills, how to deal with common workplace problems, and how to prepare a resumé and undertake an effective job search.

We’ll prepare you to ask questions that will help you when job hunting and give you opportunities to work on basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills. As well, you can get certifications like First Aid, WorldHost, FoodSafe and a modified WHMIS.

Develop new skills

Spend four to eight months with us and develop new skills, gain work experience and earn a college certificate.

Estimated tuition

Effective from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.

$1,938 - $2,499 (domestic)

Additional Student Fees

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

There are many financial resources to tap into while you are at college to help with your education and living costs. Apply for scholarships & awards that are specifically given to program students, as well as awards specific to the School of Access.

You may also want to visit Financial Aid & Awards for more information about funding.

Earn a college certificate, gain work experience, develop new skills.

We'll help prepare you for entry-level employment in industries that focus on customer service, farm to table food service, and gardening and food production.

What to Expect

All courses are self-paced, with a combination of classroom studies and work experience on campus or in the community. You may enrol for full-time or part-time studies, and you will be required to interview for each ETP program you wish to enrol in.

What you'll learn

ETP programs are four to eight months long, start in September (Fall term) or January (Winter term) and are located at our Interurban campus.

Curriculum & courses

Admission Requirements

Ready to get started? Get your application in for the September or January intake.

All students admitted to the Employment Preparation Program must participate in an intake conversation to determine suitability for the program and for working in an applied learning setting at the college.

Information and Application Process

Step 1 - Contact us

Mark Fournier

Step 2 - Intake Conversation

Chat with an instructor to discover if ETP is right for you. Determine which courses you will start with.

If you discover that ETP is not the right program for you, we may be able to suggest alternative programs or resources.

Step 3 - Application/Financial Aid/Registration

ETP staff will help you fill out all the necessary forms and guide you through the process:

Note: Each ETP program is a stand-alone offering. Current students must inform ETP staff that they wish to continue on into another ETP program and book an intake conversation. See Step 1

For more detailed information about this program, see the Academic Calendar.

Academic Calendar

Our Teaching Staff

Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students’ individual journeys.

Mark Fournier

Chair, Employment Training and Preparation

Mark is an uninvited settler on the traditional territories of the Coast and Straight Salish Peoples. He has been creating and delivering programming ...

Laura Friesen

Instructional Assistant | Instructor, Employment Training and Prep

It's a privilege to be a visitor on the beautiful Coast and Straits Salish territories and to raise my family here. My ancestors came from Scotland, E ...

Jody Isaac

Instructor, Employment Training and Preparation

As a visitor in these territories, I give thanks to Coast and Straits Salish Nations for sharing their culture, knowledge and community and I'm gratef ...