Adult Upgrading

Adult Basic Education

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Contact us to get started

Kelowna

Phone: 250-762-5445 - ask to be transferred to Jessica Morcom
Email: jmorcom@okanagan.bc.ca

Penticton

Phone: 236-420-6711 - ask to be transferred to Kevin Lipsett
Email: klipsett@okanagan.bc.ca

Vernon

Phone: 250-545-7291 - ask to be transferred to Simone Palmer
Email: spalmer@okanagan.bc.ca

Salmon Arm

Phone: 236-420-6713 - ask to be transferred to Tracy Riley
Email: triley@okanagan.bc.ca

Revelstoke

Phone: 236-420-6706 - ask to be transferred to Tracy Riley
Email: triley@okanagan.bc.ca

 

Upgrading is the right choice if you want to:

Courses and programs are offered throughout the year, and all College locations offer Adult Upgrading. 

Delivery method

  • In-person in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Revelstoke
  • In-person courses start September, January, May or July  
  • Fall and Winter semesters are 16 weeks long, while Summer semesters are 8 weeks long
  • Online courses have September and January start dates. Although these courses are delivered online, you will need to attend classes on specific days and times

Ready to apply?

Take the next step and enrol in the Upgrading program today.

Tuition free!

  • Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) covers student fees, partial travel costs, unsubsidized child care and school supplies.
  • The AUG form is awarded based on your income level. 
  • Need help filling it in? Contact the Financial Aid Office or email upgradinggrants@okanagan.bc.ca

Program spotlight

Upgrading is the right choice if you want to:

Skills assessment

Students can complete upgrading skills assessments in-person in 2-3 hours. Check the dates and times below for a campus near you and try out a practice Math skills assessment before you arrive:

Practice Math skills assessment

Please note that pre-requisites must have been completed in the last 5 years. If this is not the case, you will need to take a skills assessment.

Skills assessment dates and times

  • Friday, March 31, 12pm-3pm in B213
  • Friday, April 14, 12pm-3pm in B213
  • Friday, April 21, 12pm-3pm in B213
  • Friday, April 28, 12pm-3pm in B213
  • Tuesday, May 9, 12pm-3pm in B213
  • Tuesday, May 30, 12pm-3pm in B213
  • Tuesday, July 4, 12pm-3pm in B213

Students may attend the assessments without registering. Please arrive 10 minutes early.  If you are unable to attend the assessment times above, please contact Jessica Morcom at jmorcom@okanagan.bc.ca to schedule an appointment. 

  • Thursday, March 30, 12pm in PC219
  • Tuesday, April 25, 12pm in PC123
  • Tuesday, May 23, 12pm in PC123
  • Tuesday, June 13, 12pm in PC123

Please contact the coordinator or call 250-492-4305 (ext 3231) for online courses or to schedule an alternate time. 

Please contact the coordinator, Tracy Riley (triley@okanagan.bc.ca), to set up an in-person individual skills assessment time and date. 

  • Tuesday, April 4, 1pm-3pm in C334
  • Tuesday, April 25, 1pm-3pm in C334
  • Tuesday, May 9, 1pm-3pm in D343
  • Tuesday, June 13, 1pm-3pm in D343
  • Tuesday, June 27, 1pm-3pm in D343

Please call Simone Palmer at 545-7291 (ext 2221) or email spalmer@okanagan.bc.ca to reserve a space.  Please allow 2 1/2 hours for the assessment.

Upcoming courses

Pathways

Please contact Jessica Morcom jmorcom@okanagan.bc.ca  if you are interested.

See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for each Pathway.

Pathways to Health: 

Health Pathway

Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses)

Certified Dental Assistant

English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 012 ( minimum 60%), One of: Chemistry 011, Chemistry 012, Physics 011 or Physics 012

Early Childhood Education for EL           (English Language)

EAPS 030

Health Care Assistant

English 070 (English 10 equivalent), A science 011 is recommended

Human Service Worker English 012 (minimum 60%)

Practical Nursing

English 012 (minimum 70%), Biology 012 (minimum 67%), Math 011 or Math 080 or IALG 011 (minimum 67%)

Pharmacy Technician

English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 011 or Biology 012 (BC students) (minimum 60%), Math 011 (minimum 60%)

Therapist Assistant

English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 012, Chemistry 011

Pathway to Trades:

Math 005  -  Trades Entrance Assessment Preparation Course   OR   Math 070

When can I start courses?

Start dates vary depending on where you would like to study. 

  • Penticton: September, January and May
  • Kelowna: September, January, May and July
  • Vernon: September, January and May
  • Salmon Arm: September, January and May
  • Revelstoke: September and January

Note: some English and Math classes have continuous intakes, so you can register at any time.

Certificates/Diploma

Fundamental Level Certificate

This level is for students wishing to improve their basic skills or to prepare for the Intermediate Level program.

Intermediate Level Certificate

This level prepares students for the Advanced Level program or for entry into post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 10 or equivalent.

Advanced Level Certificate

This level prepares students for the Provincial Level and, with completion of English 012, for entry into many post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 12 or equivalent.

Provincial Level Diploma

This is the highest level of the Adult Basic Education program and requires rigorous study. The Provincial Level prepares students for admission to post-secondary programs. The student who completes this level is eligible for a British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma. Students should consult an Educational Advisor and carefully select their courses if they plan further study at the post-secondary level.

English courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023

Students must have completed the prerequisites for English courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE English course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English skills assessment. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.

Fundamental

  • English 40 (41/42)
  • English 50 (51/52)
  • English 60 (61/62)

Intermediate

  • English 70 (71/72)

Advanced

  • English 80 (81/82)

Provincial

  • English 12

Science courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023

Students must have completed the prerequisites for English and Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE Science course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English and Math skills assessment.

  • Biology 11 and Biology 12
  • Chemistry 11 and Chemistry 12
  • Physics 11 and Physics 12

Math courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023

Students must have completed the prerequisites for Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE mathematics course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write a mathematics skills assessment to determine their readiness to enter their desired course.

Self-paced courses:

Fundamental

  • Math 40 (41/42)
  • Math 50 (51/52)
  • Math 60 (61/62)

Intermediate/Developmental

  • Math 70 (71/72)
  • Math 80 (84/85)

Instructor-led courses:

Developmental (equivalent to Math 080 - Instructor led)

  • Introductory Algebra 11

Advanced

  • Math 11

Provincial

  • Math 12

Elective courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023

  • Computer Studies 60
  • Computer Studies 70
  • Computer Studies 11
  • Social Studies 11
  • Law 12
  • Psychology 12
  • Education and Career Planning 12

Tutoring

  • All OC campuses offer FREE tutoring for community members who are 19 or older.
  • Get 1-on-1 help with basic reading, writing or math skills with a volunteer tutor. 
  • Join anytime between September and May.

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