To provide quality education and vocational training for students at the basic skills level in the areas of workforce preparation, job placement, and career retainment.
The focus of the Occupational and Life Skills (OLS) Program is to prepare students for community integrated employment. The two separate levels of certification may be obtained through an occupation specific certification and a Butte College Certificate of Completion. Students who successfully complete the program will have proof of competencies through these certifications to present to potential employers. This certificate program requires successful completion of 7 courses in the OLS 324- 330 sequence. In addition, the OLS Program offers training courses (OLS 350-355) in agency settings that serve adults with disabilities. Students get work experience while being trained for community integrated employment.
The Occupational and Life Skills Program was implemented Fall 2017 and has not been established long enough to conduct a Program Review.
1. Full-time Faculty Hire
2. OLS 340 and 341 certificate program for incarcerated students
3. OLS 331 certificate pathways program
4. OLS 324-330 dual enrollment program
Strategy 1 - Full-time faculty hire
The OLS Programs are rapidly expanding in diverse ways. The Special Programs Department currently operates two OLS programs. These include the OLS Certificate of Completion designed to assist students with or without disabilities in finding and keeping a job. This program includes recruitment of job coaches and businesses willing to participate in work experience opportunities. This program is in the process of becoming a dual enrollment program through the local high schools. This is an enhanced funded certificate program.
The OLS 350-355 program offers students with disabilities training in Product Assembly/Light Manufacturing, Landscaping Services, Commercial Sewing, Recycling Services, Industrial Woodworking, and Janitorial Services.
OLS 340 and 341 are in the approval process. These courses are designed for incarcerated students and to provide them with a vocational advantage in behavior and communication skills. It will be a Vocational Advantage Certificate. This will be an enhanced funded program as well.
The OLS 331 course is going through the approval process to provide students with disabilities a look at possible career pathways. It will allow students to explore career pathways in technical programs offered by Butte College to decide which career they may want to pursue. This will also be an enhanced funded certificate program.
A full-time faculty could provide instruction and assist with departmental tasks.
With the expansion of this department and overseeing additional associate faculty, a Full-time Faculty Position is needed to provide instruction and assist with curriculum changes, SLO's, and faculty evaluations.
Strategy 2 - OLS 340 and 341 certificate program for incarcerated students
OLS 340 Analyzing Communications for Vocational Advantage and OLS 341 Analyzing Behavior for Vocational Advantage are going through the approval process and will be offered to incarcerated students. This will be a certificate of completion and provide the student with skills to better assist with finding and keeping employment.
Incarcerated students generally are deficient in either behavioral or communication skills or both. Many times the deficiency of these skills are the cause of their incarceration. This program is designed to assist students in undersatanding these causes and how to change their abilities and chances of getting employment.
Strategy 3 - OLS 331 certificate pathways program
The OLS 331 Pathways for Success class is currently moving through the approval process. It is designed to give students with disabilities a realistic view of what it takes to pursue various careers. Students will study a chosen occupation and visit Butte College classes to enhance the decision making process in choosing a career. This course will be paired with OLS 323, 324, 325,and 326 to create an enhanced funded certificate of completion.
Students with disabilities sometimes do not realize their abilities or over estimate their abilities. This class along with the other OLS classes will provide a self-exploration of skills and abilities to provide a determination of skill sets needed for various career choices.
Strategy 4 - OLS 324-330 dual enrollment program
The current OLS Certificate of Completion Program (OLS 324 - 330) is a good match with high school curriculum, and this program can be offered to students to earn a certificate prior to graduation. The dual enrollment process is underway with Chico High School.
This program can provide direction for high school students in finding employment after they graduate. They will have completed a certificate program and earned another career specific certificate in the process before they graduate.
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| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Occupational and Life Skills Program | Operating Expenses | $0.00 | $5,000.00 | ||
| Develop an operating budget for the Occupational and Life Skills Program. | An operating budget is needed to market the program, buy instructional materials, increase enrollment,etc. |
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