Niagara College Canada

School of Academic Studies

Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses

School of Academic Studies delivers courses designed to ensure that students meet the requirements of the Employability Skills Profile, achieve the Generic Skills Learning Outcomes set by the Ministry and enhance their personal and career success.

Motivated students will find the support needed to develop their fundamental employability skills in courses, tutorials and computer-based remediation and self-learning packages.

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS 2000+
(Conference Board of Canada)
The skills you need to enter, stay in, and progress in the world of work — whether you work on your own or as a part of a team:

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS

Communicate:

• read and understand information presented in a variety of forms (e.g., words, graphs, charts, diagrams)
• write and speak so others pay attention and understand
• listen and ask questions to understand and appreciate the points of view of others
• share information using a range of information and communication technologies (voice, e-mail, computers)
• use relevant scientific, technological and mathematical knowledge and skills to explain or clarify ideas

Manage Information:

• locate, gather and organize information using appropriate technology and information systems
• access, analyze and apply human knowledge and skills from various disciplines (e.g., the arts, languages, science, technology, mathematics, social sciences, and the humanities)

Use Numbers:

• decide what needs to be measured or calculated
• observe and record data using appropriate methods, tools and technology
• make estimates and verify calculations

Think & Solve Problems:

• assess situations and identify problems
• seek different points of view and evaluate them based on facts
• recognize the human, interpersonal, technical, scientific and mathematical dimensions of a problem
• identify the root cause of a problem
• be creative and innovative in exploring possible solutions
• readily use science, technology and mathematics as ways to think, gain and share knowledge, solve problems, and make decisions
• evaluate solutions to make recommendations or decisions
• implement solutions
• check to see if a solution works, and act on opportunities for improvement. As they earn a certificate, diploma or applied degree in a specific program, Niagara College students develop valuable skills in communication, computer literacy and mathematics.

POST-SECONDARY

ENGLISH
Communication is to a successful career as location is to real estate – it is the key. The Department of English works closely with program areas to design courses that develop core communication skills and are suitable for the area of specialization. Relevant career applications are integrated in all senior English courses.

COMPUTER LITERACY
Graduates who are computer literate appreciate how computers and information technologies have changed the nature of work, careers and social life. They are prepared to acquire new skills as technology changes and are significantly more employable as a result.

MATHEMATICS
The Mathematics Department focuses on applications related specifically to each program of study in all math and statistics courses. Students receive the support they need, in classes and tutorial sessions, to improve their quantitative and critical thinking skills.

NON POST-SECONDARY

Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS)
Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) is designed to help adult learners develop the necessary academic and personal skills for making a successful transition to employment or to further education. Learners and program staff co-develop individualized training plans that identify specific strategies for achieving learners' expressed goals.

School of Academic Studies Co-ordinators:

General Contact Information:

Niagara College Canada
Academic and General Studies Division
Tel: 905-641-2252 / 905-735-2211 / ext. 7465
Fax: 905-736-6017
Web: http://www.niagaracollege.ca/ags