The WEST Program is specifically targeted to students with developmental and cognitive disabilities. It is designed to assist students' development with personal, interpersonal, and employment skills required to obtain and maintain employment. The overarching program goal is for the students to gain skills necessary to foster personal growth and independence. Students will acquire and develop vocational, academic, work, and essential life skills. The WEST Program is offered at the Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses. See WEST program details.
"Several of our Skills for Life students have gone from our Ladysmith Secondary School to the WEST/ELST program at [VIU]. The program has proven to be excellent for these students - allowing them to experience university life, to sample a variety of work-related situations, to improve social, interpersonal, and work-related skills, and to have fun learning. The staff is very conscientious and get results!"
H. Mallet, Skills for Life Teacher at Ladysmith Secondary School
Contact Information
Curious to see what our program is like? We invite you to be a "student for the day!" Come meet WEST faculty and students currently in the program. For more information or to arrange a classroom visit, email or phone:
Nanaimo
- Email: Tanya.Assaf@viu.ca
- Phone: 250.740.6162
Cowichan
- Email: Jo.Lemay@viu.ca
- Phone: 250.746.3543
Financial Assistance is available
Funding for students with financial needs is available. Contact VIU's Financial Aid & Awards office for more info.