The work of the Community Development and Outreach Department (CDO) is an important way that Capilano University reaches out to those not served by campus-based programs, those who are often socially excluded in many parts of our community. Over the years we have developed expertise in our approach and are viewed as leaders in creating meaningful social change through educational access.

CDO learners are newcomers to Canada, low-income residents, parents, seniors, workers in entry level jobs, Indigenous people both on-reserve and off-reserve, and people looking to make a positive change in their lives. CDO learners live in communities across our catchment area in urban areas, inner cities, small towns, and remote villages. We support learning through upgrading opportunities, language development, student success strategies, community leadership, digital literacy, and volunteerism.

We are successful in reaching such a diverse group of learners because we:

• engage learners as partners in the learning process and adopt a learner-centred approach to the development of literacy and essential skills
• build partnerships with communities to provide a continuum of learner supports
• provide learning opportunities where learners naturally gather – in community centres, Neighbourhood Houses and Friendship Centres, in workplaces, in health centres, and in local libraries
• build on learner and community creativity by providing unique, interesting and meaningful learning opportunities linked to real life issues
• seek ways to decolonize our practices and indigenize our approaches and curricula

To learn more about the work of our department, look for Community Development & Outreach here: https://www.capilanou.ca/about-capu/get-to-know-us/our-values/

All successful candidates will have the following, as well as the specific skills and experience needed for the position described in “What You’ll Do” below:

• Belief that all learners can be successful
• Experience working in Community Development using an empowerment approach
• Experience working with community partners
• Strong facilitation and group process skills
• A commitment to participant capacity-building
• Strong program management and project development skills, including but not limited to:

We hope to add to our team an individual who has a passion for community adult literacy work. We are seeking an instructor / program coordinator / project developer for the following two programs:

Strathcona Family Literacy
Since 2003
Partners: Strathcona Community Centre and Vancouver Public Library (Strathcona branch)
Funders: Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills through the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP), Raise a Reader Fund

In the Strathcona program, non-English speaking learners are provided with basic language skills in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere with classes taught in the learners’ community. Skills include grammar, listening, speaking, pronunciation, reading, vocabulary building and writing, all with a focus on helping adults support their families. The focus is on meaningful communication, and, through pair and small group activities, learners are encouraged to be active participants and decision-makers. Students are provided broader opportunities such as information on local events, and this may include class outings in the community. Although the classroom is multi-level (pre-beginner to low intermediate) and learners’ individual needs are taken into consideration, it is usually an instructor-led rather than self-paced classroom. This program prepares students for English language learning and workplace opportunities above the beginner level.



Hastings Racecourse Learning Centre
Since 2001
Partners: Horsemen’s Protective and Benevolent Assoc. of BC, Hastings Entertainment Inc. / Great Canadian Casinos
Funders: Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills through the Community Adult Literacy Program (CALP), Hastings Entertainment Inc.

This Learning Centre has offered instructor-led and peer to peer learning opportunities for workers in the backstretch community of the Hastings Racecourse since 2001. The people in the backstretch community work with the racehorses as grooms, hotwalkers, riders, jockeys, trainers and in other capacities. Their shared love of horses and racing brings together a very diverse community. As many as 75 people live on site and another 400 regularly work seven days a week, 4:30 a.m. to 6:00 pm, in the barn area.

The Learning Centre program offers core instruction in basic literacy, writing, English as an Additional Language, and digital learning with access to computer resources for learners who wish to advance their employment possibilities or pursue interests through upgrading their education. The program also assists learners’ interface with government services by assisting them to file taxes, applying for birth certificates and other government documents. The program is coordinated by instructors from Capilano University and peer tutors from the backstretch. Our learners represent the diversity of the workers in the backstretch. Some are born and educated in western Canada with incomplete original educations. Many are foreign workers who want to learn English, and work as grooms, gallopers, and jockeys in the backstretch.

The successful candidate will:

Successful candidates may also be considered for the following work in our department: