Life and Employment Skills for Independence Certificate (LESI aka TVP)
About the Life and Employment Skills for Independence Certificate
The Life and Employment Skills for Independence (LESI) certificate at Red Deer Polytechnic is a non-credit program developed to support learners with developmental disabilities in obtaining employment and establishing and maintaining independence. Learners will participate in classroom instruction and experiential learning opportunities, including work experience.
The LESI program has three terms: Social Skills and Personal Development, Independent Living Skills and Employment Readiness. Throughout the program, learners will earn ProServe, First Aid and WHIMS certifications that will allow them to gain practical skills while increasing their employability.
The emphasis of this program is to provide a more inclusive approach to support learners in career discovery, employment readiness, work-integrated learning and exploration of post-secondary training.
Program Content
Course Descriptions
Introduction to Health & Wellness | LESI – 8000
Focus on healthy living, including relationship building, healthy eating and exercise practices. Identify support services provided by local community agencies and government.
Introduction to Life Skills | LESI – 8001
Increase self-awareness about feelings, thoughts and actions. Develop strategies to manage and communicate emotions with others. Explore different ways to minimize and manage stress through self-care, natural support, goal setting and self-advocacy.
Healthy Relationships & Interpersonal Communication | LESI – 8002
Develop strategies for effective communication with others in personal and workplace relationships. Examine non-verbal communication, conversation skills, conflict resolution, and assertiveness.
Study Skills for Success | LESI – 8003
Apply strategies for learning to promote success, including effective listening, comprehension and note-taking. Explore personal learning styles and the behaviours necessary for academic success.
Volunteer Experience | LESI – 8004
Gain practical experience through a work experience opportunity in a setting suited to individual interests and abilities.
Living Independently | LESI – 8005
Gain practical experience to apply knowledge and skills to prepare for independent living. Learn how to search for suitable housing, prepare meals, manage home responsibilities and enhance personal safety skills.
Introduction to Technical Proficiency & Digital Literacy | LESI – 8006
Gain experience using Microsoft programs, including Word and Outlook. Create basic documents, including a resume and cover letter. Use email, the internet/world wide web and social media safely.
Financial Literacy & Numeracy | LESI – 8007
Explore financial and consumer strategies to manage personal banking, including creating monthly budgets, understanding bank statements and strategies for financial decision-making.
Community Involvement & Social Life | LESI – 8008
Employ skills to identify and access services provided by local community agencies and facilities. Research and attend social events of interest to develop social skills. Understand leisure and social interactions as an integral part of self-care.
Career Discovery & Employment Preparation | LESI – 8009
Explore employment opportunities through local events, speakers and assessments. Discuss principles of conduct that would be expected within the workplace.
Work Experience I | LESI – 8010
Complete a work experience opportunity in an employment setting suited to individual interests and abilities.
Math Skills for the Workplace | LESI – 8011
Develop mathematical skills for the workplace, including how to count money and give change, measurement techniques, problem-solving and basic math computing.
Leadership & Self-Advocacy | LESI – 8012
Develop the tools to make decisions, understand legal rights and advocate for personal needs to be successful in work and social environments.
Workplace Standards & Employment Readiness Simulation | LESI – 8013
Become familiar with workplace standards, complete a job search, submit a resume or application, and complete the interview process.
Post-Secondary Level Course | LESI – 8014
Audit a post-secondary level course to become immersed in post-secondary life. The course will practice study, social and leadership skills in an academic environment.
Work Experience II | LESI – 8015
Complete a work-experience opportunity in an employment setting suited to individual interests and abilities.
Intakes
Fall - Start Date: Sep 03, 2024
- Application window:
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- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Admission Requirements
Learners must be 18 or older. They must provide a completed application package, psychological/natural support assessment, two letters of reference from a teacher or employer and a copy of their High School transcripts.
Program Cost
Foundational Learning Assistance for LESI Students
Foundational Learning Assistance offers grant funding to adult learners enrolled in Red Deer Polytechnic's Life and Employment Skills for Independence (LESI) program.
Basic Funding Eligibility:
- You must have an Alberta address
- You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee
- You must be 18+ years old
- You must be unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week. If you are employed more than 20 hours per week, Counsel To Leave Employment approval may be required.
How do I access this funding?
- To begin the funding process, you will need to request and submit an application package for the Life and Employment Skills for Independence (LESI) program. To do so, please contact Continuing Education & Corporate Training at 403.356.4900 or email.
- Once you are accepted into the LESI program with an RDP acceptance letter, monitor your email as you will receive an email from FLSDCSD@gov.ab.ca which will include a link to access your funding application. Check your spam, junk and promotion folders so you don't miss this message.
- Before completing the FLA application, you will need to ensure you have a verified Alberta.ca Account. You will also need the following:
- Your Alberta.ca Account login information (keep this information private, but ensure you know your username and password and can log in during your appointment)
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your Alberta Student Number (ASN)
- Not sure what your ASN is? Look it up.
- Monitor your mail and email for important follow-up information, and stay in touch with the RDP Student Connect Centre. Feel free to contact the Student Connect Centre should you have any questions about your funding.
Financial Aid Options
Student life can be very expensive, and few individuals have enough money to pay up-front for their post-secondary education.
Program Content
In the Life and Employment Skills for Independence (LESI) Certificate program, learners will take part in 16 courses.
Program Courses
Graduation Requirements
To graduate, learners will need a 50% in theory courses and a grade of Satisfactory in work-integrated learning courses.
Continuation Education and Corporate Training
Further your career by advancing your existing skills through flexible courses, micro-credentials and programs.