Academic and Career Preparation

Academic and Career Preparation is for you if you want to:

  • Gain the confidence you need to succeed at work or in school
  • Meet requirements for entry into college or apprenticeship
  • Get ready for testing for employment or college entrance, including the College Placement Assessment (CPA) and the Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE)
  • Develop skills for success and computer skills to support your goals
  • Improve your study strategies and likelihood of success in postsecondary
  • Get high school equivalent credits
  • Get a credential equivalent to a Grade 12 diploma
  • Prepare for the General Education Development (GED) test

Employment Ontario logo Feb 2017

This Employment Ontario  program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario and through the Canada- Ontario Job Fund Agreement.

The future is yours again

Academic and Career Preparation is a goal-directed, flexible, supportive upgrading program that accommodates the realities of a busy life.

After completing a skills assessment, you will develop a customized training plan to achieve your goals. Upgrading courses are available through the year with flexible schedules and start dates, in a college environment designed for adults

Not sure what the future holds? We can help you identify goals and start to move forward.

Build your own plan

Academic and Career Preparation is designed to bring your reading, writing, math and other essential skills to a high school level.

In Academic and Career Preparation, you can build skills or work toward high school credit equivalencies.

The Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate is recognized as equivalent to a Grade 12 diploma by all Ontario colleges, and by many employers. ACE also meets the requirements for entrance into apprenticeships across the province. The ACE certificate is made up of four credits, including mandatory courses,

  • Communications
  • Core Mathematics

Any two of the following courses:

  • Technical Math
  • Apprenticeship Math
  • Business Math
  • Computers
  • Keys to Success
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics

Individual ACE courses are also recognized as Grade 11 or Grade 12 equivalent credits for college or apprenticeship entrance.

GED testing

Although Georgian College does not administer the GED testing*, Ontario High School General Equivalency Certificate, you can attend the upgrading program to prepare for writing the GED.

For more information about the GED (Ontario High School General Equivalency Certificate) test, please visit the Independent Learning Centre.

Need a bit more help?

As a Georgian College student, you will benefit from all the supports available through our Student Success department, including counselling, accessibility supports, as well as learning strategies and technologies. We are here to support you before, during and after you attend Academic and Career Preparation.

Upgrade at a location near you. Academic and Career Preparation is available at all seven Georgian College campuses as well as in Huntsville, Shelburne and Wasaga Beach. Each location offers a welcome, safe and friendly environment.

Please click on the campus tabs in the menu above for information about specific offerings at each campus.

Who is eligible?

You are invited to apply to the Academic and Career Preparation program if you are 19 or older and a resident of Ontario. Some applicants 16 to 18 years of age may also be eligible. Non-residents may register on a fee-paying basis.

Academic and Career Preparation is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, providing free upgrading for eligible learners. There is no tuition fee for most applicants. Assistance with child care or travel costs may also be available.

ACE online

For ACE online options, please contact the Georgian College Ontario Learn office at 705.728.1968, ext. 5116.

Don’t hesitate – accelerate your learning today!

Courses

The following courses are available at the Barrie Campus:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computers
  • Communications*
  • Keys to Success**
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)*

*Evening classes also available
**Online classes also available

Biology, Chemistry and Keys to Success are teacher-led, which means that the class moves through the material as a group, with regularly scheduled tests, assignments and labs. (Keys to Success also available online.) The other courses are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

Start dates

Most courses have monthly start dates, with the exception of Biology and Chemistry.

  • Chemistry, Monday and Wednesday, 8 to 11 a.m., Jan. 7 to April 17,  2019 (Room H215)
  • Biology, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 to 11 a.m., Jan. 8 to April 19, 2019 (video conferencing room K226B)

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact, by phone, email or in-person:

Visit us on Facebook.

Apply for ACE distance courses

Courses

The following courses are available at the Midland Campus:

  • Biology*
  • Chemistry*
  • Computers
  • Communications
  • Keys to Success
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)*
  • GED Preparation*

*Evening classes also available

Biology, Chemistry and Keys to Success are teacher-led, which means that the class moves through the material as a group, with regularly scheduled tests, assignments and labs. Communications, Mathematics, Computers and GED Preparation are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

Start dates

Start dates and times vary. Please see below for contact information.

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact, by phone, email or in-person:

Find us on Facebook.

Apply for ACE distance courses

Courses

The following courses are available in either Huntsville (HV) or Bracebridge (BB):

  • Biology (BB)
  • Chemistry (BB)
  • Computers* (BB, HV)
  • Communications* (BB, HV)
  • Keys to Success (BB, HV)
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)* (BB, HV)

*Evening classes also available

Biology and Chemistry are teacher-led, which means that the class moves through the material as a group, with regularly scheduled tests, assignments and labs. The other courses are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

Start dates

Most courses are continuous intake, with the exception of Biology and Chemistry.

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact, by phone, email or in-person:

Apply for ACE distance courses

The following courses are available in either Orangeville (OV) or Shelburne (SH):

  • Biology (OV, SH)
  • Chemistry (OV, SH)
  • Communications (OV, SH)
  • Computers (OV, SH)
  • Keys to Success (OV)
  • LBS (Literacy and Basic Skills) Mathematics, English, including General Educational Development (GED) test preparation (OV, SH)
  • Mathematics (Core, Business, Technical) (OV, SH)

Keys to Success is teacher-led, which means the class moves through the material as a group, with regularly scheduled tests and assignments. Literacy and Basic Skills (including GED test preparation) is available in class and via independent study with one-on-one assistance. The other courses are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

Academic and Career Preparation program flyer

Pathways to Employment

This is a FREE three-week program that helps you gain the confidence and skills needed for success in today’s workforce. Add new computer, communication and planning skills and qualifications to your resume.

The next intake is Jan 29 – Feb 14.

Start dates

Courses are continuous intake, with the exception of Keys to Success, Literacy and Basic Skills (including GED test preparation) and Computers

  • GED testing – please phone for information

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact, by phone, email or in-person:

Apply for ACE distance courses

Pathways to Employment program details and registration instructions

Courses

The following courses are available at the Orillia Campus:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computers*
  • Communications*
  • Keys to Success**
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)*

*Evening classes available
**Online classes available

Keys to Success is teacher-led, which means that the class moves through the material as a group, with regularly scheduled tests, assignments and labs. The other courses are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

Start dates

All courses have monthly start dates with the exception of Biology.

  • Chemistry,  winter 2019, dates to be determined
  • Biology, 8 to 11 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 8  to April 18, 2019  (video conferencing format, Room B207)

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact, by phone, email or in-person:

Visit us on Facebook.

Workshops

Pathways to Employment

Pathways to Employment is a four-week workshop that helps you gain the confidence and skills needed for success in today’s workforce. This program is an ideal stepping stone to further educational opportunities.

The next workshop is from Oct. 23 to Nov. 8. Please email Jennifer Rousseau for more information.

Included in the program:

  • Service Excellence certificate
  • Smart Serve certificate
  • Educational/work planning
    • Dress for success
    • Exploring the hidden job market
    • Networking
    • Mock interviews
    • Organizational skills
    • Time management
    • Exploring options
  • Computer Skills
    • Formatting resumés and cover letters
    • Basic Excel
    • Emailing with attachments
    • Online research
    • Completing online applications
  • Workplace math/communications
    • Brush up on your math skills
    • Budgeting
    • Banking
    • Emails and memos
    • Written communication for cover
    • letters and resumés
    • Verbal communications (talking to employers)

For more information, contact Jennifer Rousseau at 705.325.2740, ext. 3024

Apply for ACE distance courses

Courses

The following courses are available at the Owen Sound Campus:

  • Biology*
  • Chemistry*
  • Computers
  • Communications*
  • Keys to Success**
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)*

*Evening classes available
**Online

Biology and Chemistry are teacher-led, which means that the class moves through the material as a group, with regularly scheduled tests, assignments and labs. The other courses are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

Start dates

Most courses have monthly start dates, with the exception of Biology and Chemistry.

  • Biology, Monday and Wednesday, 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 7 to April 17, 2019, Room 221
  • Chemistry, Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m., Jan. 8 to April 18, 2019, Room 703

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact, by phone, email or in-person:

Visit us on Facebook.

Apply for ACE distance courses

Academic and Career Preparation courses are based on individualized plans with assignments and tests scheduled as appropriate for each student.

FREE courses available now

Academic and Career Preparation

Classes available in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Thornbury

  • upgrade your skills for work, training or further education
  • complete admission requirements for college and apprenticeship (ACE credits)
  • increase skills in math, science, communications and/or computers
View the Academic and Career Preparation flyer

GED Achievement Test Preparation

Classes available in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach

  • complete a readiness assessment to set a GED preparation plan
  • improve  your success through coaching sessions
  • gain the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to achieve your GED

Exploring Trades

Classes available in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach

  • practise  math and communication skills specific to trades
  • use simulation software to practice carpentry skills
  • learn about trade specific programs and apprenticeship opportunities
View the Exploring Trades flyer

Endless Possibilities

Classes available in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach

  • learn Microsoft Office to support employment and education
  • set realistic objectives to move forward with employment and training goals
  • build confidence and resources to achieve your next steps forward
  • increase personal leadership in a respectful and empowering environment

Locations

Collingwood

John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus, 499 Raglan St.

  • Biology*
  • Chemistry*
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)
  • Communications
  • Computer
  • Endless Possibilities
  • Exploring Trades
  • GED Achievement Preparation

*Evening classes available

Wasaga Beach

Wasaga Beach Library, 120 Glenwood Dr.

  • Computers
  • Communications
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)

Career Solutions, 1367 Mosley St.

  • Communications
  • Mathematics (Core, Technical, Apprenticeship, Business)

Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce, 550 River Rd. W.

  • Computers

The Blue Mountains 

L.E. Shore Memorial Library, 173 Bruce St. Thornbury

  • Communications
  • Mathematics

Start dates

Start dates are on a continual basis during the academic year.

Apply for in-class courses

Please contact by phone, email or in-person:

Apply for ACE distance courses

To apply for the Academic and Career Preparation program, please contact the campus nearest you.

Barrie

Midland

Muskoka

Orangeville

Orillia

Owen Sound

South Georgian Bay