Free Early Childhood Education program offered in Salmon Arm
January 2, 2024
Flexible course delivery that includes online and in-person instruction and full tuition support will allow more people in the Salmon Arm-Shuswap to pursue education and training in early childhood education beginning this month. The Shuswap Children’s Association (SCA) and Okanagan College (OC) are launching a new intake of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at OC’s Salmon Arm campus, with classes beginning Jan. 8, 2024. Tuition is fully funded through the Government of Canada through the Canada-BC Workforce Develop...
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Okanagan College provides golden opportunity for local seniors
December 20, 2023
Learning can be for everyone, and 67-year-old Okanagan College graduate Denise Dickson is living proof. At 67 years young, Denise's decision to pursue post-secondary education was motivated by a desire to stay mentally and socially active. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denise felt the pinch of social isolation. Additionally, she wanted to upgrade her skills while enjoying the challenge of learning something new. "Learning keeps one younger. It keeps your mind active and engaged,” she said. “I’ve found formal learning has made my m...
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Okanagan College announces new chair, vice chair
December 19, 2023
Okanagan College (OC) is pleased to announce Dale Safinuk as the new chair of the Board of Governors, following an election at the Board’s December meeting. Safinuk, a retired financial services executive with TD Bank, was appointed by the province to the Â黨´«Ă˝Board in 2019 and replaces outgoing chair Juliette Cunningham, a business owner and former Vernon city councillor, who was first elected chair in 2021. “OC’s commitment to students and to this region is unparalleled,” said Safinuk. “My heart is truly aligned to the College an...
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Celebrating the Â黨´«Ă˝career of Dr. Bill Gillett
December 13, 2023
With the retirement of Dr. William Gillett (Bill), Â黨´«Ă˝will certainly miss the former Dean of the School of Business. But we are in a celebratory mood and wish Bill all the best with his well-deserved retirement after a long career. "It has been a distinct pleasure and true privilege to be a part of the Okanagan School of Business and witness the incredible skill and dedication of the faculty and instructors as they inspire and guide our students to success in their careers and lives," said Bill. "The entire Okanagan communit...
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New Dean to join Okanagan College’s School of Business
December 8, 2023
Okanagan College is pleased to announce that Joe Baker, a passionate academic leader and entrepreneur within Canada’s education, tourism and hospitality sectors, has been named the new Dean of the Â黨´«Ă˝School of Business. Baker spent nearly 15 years in academic leadership roles at George Brown College and Centennial College. Over the last several years he has led his own consulting business, providing leadership and support to several workforce development initiatives, with a focus on the public sector. “I was born and raised in Van...
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Meet Jessica Skerlec
December 8, 2023
What is your name? Jessica Skerlec What are your pronouns? She/her Where is your hometown and where are you located now? Raised in Kelowna and still currently living in Kelowna. What did you take at OC? What campus did you attend? I took my Bachelor’s of Business Administration at Okanagan College, specializing in Human Resources Management at the Kelowna Campus. What is your current position? Negotiator for the National Collective Bar...
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Horticulture pilot project providing new skills to Okanagan farm workers
November 27, 2023
Semi-retired and looking for a new challenge, South Okanagan resident Bob Atkinson turned to farming five years ago and now counts hundreds of nectarine, peach and cherry trees on his orchard at Debeck Farms. Atkinson was among close to 20 Okanagan farm workers and owners that were the first to complete the Horticulture Upskill Program at Okanagan College, a pilot program designed to provide expanded skills and tangible learning to agricultural workers employed by the tree fruit and wine grape industries. “There was a wealth...
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Mural at Okanagan College honours residential school survivors
November 24, 2023
A large mural that honours residential school survivors has been unveiled at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus, designed and painted by Syilx artist Sheldon Pierre Louis. Titled suʔkncut’s prayers, the acrylic latex mural measures 10 feet tall by 21 feet wide and raises awareness about the legacy and impacts of the residential school system. The mural was officially unveiled Nov. 24 with a special ceremony at OC’s Kelowna campus. “The mural signifies Okanagan College’s lasting commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation at o...
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Â黨´«Ă˝Cultivates event fosters local food, wine and tourism businesses
November 21, 2023
New event series kick-off hosts panel of local experts, facilitated by CBC’s Sarah Penton.You’ve heard of the iconic Okanagan Champagne powder or our four-season playgrounds, but did you know the Okanagan is also leading the way in innovation in food and beverage and tourism?A new Okanagan College event series, Â黨´«Ă˝Cultivates, aims to celebrate and explore Okanagan’s unique and exciting food, beverage and tourism industries with a kick-off event featuring local experts and a panel discussion hosted by CBC Radio West host, Sarah Pento...
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Â黨´«Ă˝international alum empowering women in technology
November 16, 2023
Okanagan College alum Fernanda Alves is using her education to foster diversity in the tech industry. A former Â黨´«Ă˝international student from Brazil and alum of the Computer Information System Diploma, Alves was the organizer of the 2023 Women in Technology Panel which brought together women from diverse fields and positions to share their experiences navigating the tech industry. Fernanda received recognition at the President's Reception for Student Ambassadors. “Organizing the Women in Tech Panel was one o...
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