Collaboration & Partnerships
New health care programs looking for students to start in one year
August 24, 2026
Okanagan College (OC), in partnership with Interior Health, is looking for close to 50 new students interested in a great career in health care with one year to go before two new health programs open at the College. Students interested in taking OC’s new Medical Laboratory Technologist or Medical Laboratory Assistant programs can submit expressions of interest to prepare to apply for one of the programs when they open in Sept. 2027.“People in the Interior deserve to access care close to home, and that starts with training the p...
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Okanagan College researchers awarded national grant to study impact of arts education
July 21, 2026
A new project led by Okanagan College researcher Dr. Emma Lind has received national funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to explore how colleges across Canada measure the value of arts education. Lind’s project, titled “Transforming Impact: Alternative Metrics for Assessing the Community Value of Post-Secondary Arts Education in Canada,” will bring together existing research and evidence to examine the role colleges play in the Canadian arts sector and the tools used to measure the value of...
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Where food and music meet: UNESCO designation creates opportunities to showcase the Okanagan on a national stage
July 20, 2026
Great food and great music have a way of bringing people together – so it only makes sense for the two Canadian cities that hold UNESCO designations in gastronomy and music to strike up a partnership.Kelowna, which was recently named Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy, is collaborating with London, Ontario – Canada’s only UNESCO Creative City in Music, to promote cultural exchange and celebrate the unique strengths of both communities.“One of the most exciting aspects of joining UNESCO's Creative Cities...
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New health care training programs at Okanagan College to strengthen B.C.'s laboratory workforce
July 13, 2026
The Province of B.C. invests $1.5 million to launch Medical Laboratory Technologist and Medical Laboratory Assistant programs at OC, making it easier for Interior region students to choose health care careers close to home. More students in the Okanagan will soon have access to training for in-demand careers in health care thanks to a $1.5 million investment from the Province of British Columbia to support the launch of new Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) and Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) programs...
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Volunteers wanted! Support BC Lions games and festival in Kelowna
May 5, 2026
When the BC Lions play two regular season CFL games in Kelowna this summer, a team of volunteers will be required to support the games and the weeklong Touchdown Kelowna festival June 26 to July 4, a partnership between the City of Kelowna and the BC Lions, along with presenting sponsor Okanagan College. “We are looking for people who want to jump on board to support this historic sporting event for the City of Kelowna,” said Kevin Parnell, Associate Director at Okanagan College...
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Okanagan 2036: CEOs to Share Vision for the Future of the Valley
April 22, 2026
What will the Okanagan look like in 2036? On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, regional leaders will come together at Okanagan College to explore that question at Okanagan 2036: CEOs on the Future of Our Valley, a dynamic panel focused on the next decade of economic, social, and entrepreneurial change. Hosted through a collaboration between the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Okanagan College and MacKay CEO Forums, the event will feature influential CEOs and community leaders sharing insights on the forces shaping Kelowna a...
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Progressive leader joins College in top human resources role
April 17, 2026
Okanagan College (OC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Taryn McGregor as OC’s new College Human Resources Officer.McGregor brings more than 15 years of progressive leadership experience in human resources, most recently serving as Executive Director, Employment & Talent Management Services with Interior Health. In this role, she led organization-wide strategies focused on recruitment, retention, diversity, equity and inclusion, and workforce planning across a complex, multi-site organization.McGregor will replace Gill H...
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OC Cultivates returns to celebrate Okanagan food, wine and tourism
April 16, 2026
Learning never tasted so good as Okanagan College’s celebrated event series, OC Cultivates, returns on May 7, inviting the community to campus to experience and learn about our local gastronomy and hospitality. This immersive event will highlight small family producers and businesses that play a vital role in shaping the Okanagan’s distinct food, wine and tourism culture. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for networking and interactive displays from Okanagan Science Centre...
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Kelowna City of Gastronomy announces next steps, community engagement opportunities
April 2, 2026
The work of advancing Kelowna’s new international designation as a City of Gastronomy through the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is moving into its next phase, with the formation of a new Advisory Council and upcoming opportunities for community members to get involved.“This is an important first step in establishing the community-based governance that will guide Kelowna’s work as a City of Gastronomy,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “This advisory council will play a key role in turning this designation into real, on-the-ground impact for ou...
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Okanagan College, Niagara College sign agreement to strengthen wine education
March 19, 2026
Two colleges from Canada’s top wine and agricultural regions — Okanagan College and Niagara College — have signed a memorandum of understanding that will expand the availability of world-class wine education while also opening the door for further collaboration in food, agriculture and tourism training.As part of the memorandum, the colleges met at Niagara College this week to sign an agreement that will enable Okanagan College to offer Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture curriculum in a format that is customized to the Okanaga...
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Enactus Okanagan College donates $7,500 to support survivors of domestic violence
March 5, 2026
Enactus Okanagan College (OC) is proud to support Archway Society for Domestic Peace with a donation of $7,500, which was made possible by the generous donations of Pushor Mitchell LLP, Okanagan College Faculty Association and Enactus OC.This donation will be used to support women and families recovering from domestic violence through Enactus OC’s Safe Haven Project. Individuals will receive grants to support housing, along with one-on-one financial coaching provided by Launch Okanagan.“It is incredibly important as a community to s...
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Red Seal electrician returns to Okanagan College as keynote speaker for women in trades leadership series
March 2, 2026
When Kira Watton first stepped onto a job site, she noticed something right away — she was often the only woman there.Today, the Okanagan College alumna is a Red Seal electrician working on a major project in East Kelowna. Her path into the skilled trades began with uncertainty and grew through determination, mentorship and the support of programs designed to open doors for women.“When I first considered a career in the skilled trades, I didn’t see many women on job sites,” said Watton. “Programs that connect women with mentors and ...
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OC's Dean, School of Business, joins Chamber board
February 19, 2026
Okanagan College's Dean of the OC School of Business, Joe Baker, has been elected to the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce's 2026-27 Board of Directors. The announcement comes following the conclusion of online voting on Feb. 18."The Chamber has long been a catalyst for economic momentum in Kelowna and I’m proud to contribute at the board level,” said Baker “At the College, we’re focused on strengthening the connection between education and the economy—building programs that respond to student ambition and employer demand. This appointmen...
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TogetHER brings business leaders together to drive innovation across the Okanagan
February 9, 2026
Okanagan College and WeBC are launching TogetHER, a new leadership and growth initiative designed to bring self-identifying women business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs together to strengthen innovation and collaboration across the Okanagan.“Okanagan College is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women in every part of our economy — from skilled trades to innovation and enterprise,” said Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship at Okanagan College, Caitlin Hartigan. “TogetHER creates space for women-led b...
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OC carpentry students make their mark in the region, one project at a time
December 11, 2025
Every builder remembers the moment things “clicked.” The first time a measurement lined up perfectly. The first time a project felt less like a task and more like a calling. For many carpenters across the region, those moments started at Okanagan College, in workshops that buzzed with possibility and included instructors who knew how to turn curiosity into ability. Graham Boots, with human resources at Greyback Construction, has seen it firsthand. “We’ve welcomed many OC-trained apprentice carpenters ...
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Okanagan College and CWB Group spark new opportunities for internationally trained welders
December 10, 2025
With demand for skilled welders rising across Canada, Okanagan College has partnered with the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) Group to deliver the National Welder Competency Assessment and Skills Training (NWCAST) program — a tuition-free initiative to help internationally trained welders and skilled trade professionals gain Canadian certification and connect to meaningful employment.The need for certified skilled trade professionals far exceeds supply right across Canada, and additional welders and welding-related trade professionals...
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