Learning & ʪƵ
Set yourself apart in the tourism industry: benefits of our program
April 24, 2024
Choosing the right career path can be difficult, especially in today’s turbulent job market. With so many options, you may find it challenging to decide what you want to do and how to cultivate the necessary skills. The hospitality and tourism industry is one field that continues to grow, offering promising opportunities to dedicated individuals.If you're committed to making your mark in the tourism industry, building a solid foundation and learning unique skills are crucial for yo...
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Students to explore theme of progress at showcase event
March 11, 2024
For Nikita Worm, attending Adult Upgrading classes at ʪƵ changed her outlook and gave her life new meaning. Learning new skills through one of OC’s foundational programs, was just the tonic to help support her in her outlook on life. "The College and the courses here have helped me to be so positive about my life and my future. I feel like I’m worth something now," said Worm. Worm will be one of many students presenting their work at an upcoming student showcase, scheduled to take place at...
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ʪƵ announces new chair, vice chair
December 19, 2023
ʪƵ (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 OC 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 and its mi...
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New Dean to join ʪƵ’s School of Business
December 8, 2023
ʪƵ 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 OC 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 Vancouver a...
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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 ʪƵ, 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 of info...
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OC 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 ʪƵ event series, OC 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 Penton.The fi...
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New ECE offerings at ʪƵ responding to workforce demands
November 8, 2023
Working as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) assistant for the past 20 years has provided Penticton’s Karen Block with a rewarding career helping children learn, grow and play. Block took the opportunity to enhance her career and learn additional skills through the new ECE Certificate program at ʪƵ. The program offers students flexibility to attend classes and upskill, while continuing to work in their field. “Because my classes are offered in a hybrid format, it has been possible for me to continue working during the...
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ʪƵ connects students and employers with new Careers Hub
September 26, 2023
ʪƵ is making it easier for students to connect with employers to gain practical learning experiences as an integral part of their OC education. OC has launched Careers Hub, a new online tool designed to support students on their journey into the workforce as well as employers looking for trained workers. OC’s Careers Hub is an easy, one-stop digital platform that connects students, alumni and employers to support OC students and alumni seeking the next steps in their careers. Employers can advertise employment opportunities s...
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New Dean of Science and Technology to join OC this July
May 17, 2023
ʪƵ is pleased to announce that Dr. Halia Valladares Montemayor will assume the role of Dean, Science and Technology at ʪƵ starting July 1. Halia is an established leader in post-secondary instruction and administration, and we are excited to have her join OC. Halia brings a wealth of experience to her role. She is a former special projects Advisor to the Vice-President Academic at Capilano University and the former Dean of the Faculty of Business and Professional Studies at Capilano. Most recently, Halia ...
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Bridging the way to success: Emil Anderson Construction gives $75,000 to modernize ʪƵ’s Civil Engineering Technology Program
April 17, 2023
If you walk past ʪƵ’s Kelowna campus on a weekday afternoon, you’re sure to see Civil Engineering Technology students spread out across the grounds, gathering environmental data using surveying equipment. This skill is essential to their education and will one day help them shape our built environments. Thanks to a generous $75,000 gift from Emil Anderson Construction, students will have increased access to state-of-the-art surveying equipment to train on by fall of 2023. “We are proud to support ʪƵ’s Civil Engi...
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Enactus OC’s Unusually Good Food Co. expands to 19 cities
April 14, 2023
Student entrepreneurs from ʪƵ (OC) are taking their fight against food waste and food insecurity to more businesses throughout Western Canada, as their social enterprise the Unusually Good Food Co. is expanding. With the goal of donating one-million servings of apple chips to children, the Unusually Good Food Co. has formed a partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited, expanding to 19 cities in Western Canada with its line of apple juice. “This is so exciting for our social enterprise to be able to partner with such a well-kn...
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BCBTAC Workshop Series
April 6, 2023
BCBTAC Workshop Series BCBTAC and Continuing Studies have partnered to create a series of affordable 3-hour workshops to help the local beverage community with training of staff. Facilitated by industry professionals, the training will elevate skills and setup the best season, delivered at the right time just as we are all gearing up for the tourist season. Topics include Customer Service, Sales, Sensory Skills, and Digital Marketing Cost Per Course: $60 plus material fees. Do you need customized training? We can help with the developmen...
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Same studies, but worlds apart: OC student enriched by study abroad
April 4, 2023
For one ʪƵ student, studying abroad turned into an opportunity to learn new ways of preserving old traditions in one of the most fast-paced countries in the world. Jillian Seronik, a fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Kelowna, travelled to Nisshin, Japan, last term as part of ʪƵ’s mobility program. She had always wanted to do post-secondary studies abroad but her dream of international studies was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, she signed up for mobility updates in the o...
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OC professor makes connections in France with Derek Cook Memorial Award
March 28, 2023
ʪƵ professor Roberta Sawatzky’s recent trip to France wasn’t just to experience the culture. No, Roberta was on an international mission to establish connections with partner schools in France and provide further opportunities for ʪƵ (OC) students and faculty to study or work abroad. Roberta is the 2023 recipient of the ʪƵ Derek Cook Memorial Award for International Opportunities, which was established by the College to honor the memory of Derek Cook, an OC professor who passed away in 2017...
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Meet Elizabeth Cook
March 17, 2023
Q: What is your name? A: Elizabeth (Lizzy) Cook Q: What are your pronouns? A: She/Her/Hers Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: Hometown is Conifer, Colorado. Currently located in Denver, Colorado. Q: What did you take at OC? When did you graduate? A: Bachelor of Business Administration and graduated in 2016. Q: What got you interested in your program A: I wasn’t sure what I “wanted to do with my life,” and the business program seemed like it would&n...
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Watt a gift! ʪƵ’s Electronics Engineering Technology Program gets an $80,000 boost from a local engineer
March 6, 2023
Yael Cohen, a Vernon-based communications engineer, recently donated $80,000 in state-of-the-art electronic equipment to ʪƵ’s Electronics Engineering Technology program. The gift included hundreds of electrical components that will be used by program instructors to build in-class electrical circuits and test demos and will be made available to students for use in their end-of-term capstone projects. “I was fortunate to receive numerous scholarships when I was in school, and I wanted to pay it forward,” says Cohen, an...
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