Collaboration & Partnerships
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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Okanagan College and RRC Polytech win national innovation award for collaborative applied research
November 21, 2025
The BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) at Okanagan College, in partnership with the Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK) at RRC Polytech, has been recognized with a national innovation award for excellence in applied research and industry collaboration.The two Technology Access Centres (TACs) received the Most Impactful Interactive Visit Award at the 2025 TAC Innovate Awards hosted by Tech-Access Canada in Quebec City last month. The award recognizes BC BTAC and PRK’s collaborative work with a Métis-owned microbrewery in Winni...
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The BPL Legacy Association and Okanagan College partner to expand access to aerospace training, education programs
November 20, 2025
As demand for aerospace professionals in Canada grows, the Okanagan is poised to be at the forefront.The BPL Legacy Association (owners of the KF Centre for Excellence) today announced a joint initiative with Okanagan College that will see a new $22 million facility constructed at the Kelowna airport, purpose-built to expand local education and training programs aligned to the aerospace industry needs.The modern 42,000 square foot teaching facility will include workshops, classrooms, and a hangar space to accommodate all three (curr...
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Shopping for a cause: Sweet Repeats Consignment Co. partners with Okanagan College Foundation to support students
October 20, 2025
Sweet Repeats Consignments Co., in a donation partnership with Okanagan College Foundation, invites students and the community to two days of shopping for a purpose. On October 24 and 25, the Kelowna campus will transform into a boutique pop-up featuring previous donations from Sweet Repeats, a local Women’s Consignment clothing store in Kelowna. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Okanagan College Foundation to support student bursaries.In these challenging times, these are precisely the moments when we need to stan...
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Justice Institute of British Columbia begins EMR and Paramedic training at OC's Vernon campus
October 1, 2025
Paramedic and emergency medical responder students are fully immersed in their Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) programs this fall, located at Okanagan College’s Vernon campus, beginning their training to enter the workforce and support the health care system. JIBC students led a simulation as part of a welcome event at the campus Oct. 1.Thanks to a new five-year lease agreement with Okanagan College, JIBC is expanding access to its Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) training in the Interior ...
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New canning line, enhanced services for the beverage industry, open at Okanagan College research lab
September 10, 2025
Designed to support the beverage industry with research and development, the BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BC BTAC) at Okanagan College (OC) has completed a $1.2-million renovation, adding even more services available to the beverage industry throughout the Okanagan Valley and the province.A new beverage canning line is open at OC’s Penticton campus, providing the beverage industry with opportunities to experiment with small batch beverage innovation. The line is in addition to other testing services provided at BC BTAC, whe...
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Justice Institute of British Columbia brings EMR and Paramedic training to Okanagan College’s Vernon campus
July 3, 2025
Okanagan College (OC) and the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) are excited to announce a new partnership that will bring JIBC’s paramedic and emergency medical responder (EMR) training to OC’s Vernon campus, joining other public safety, education and health care programs at the campus.The five-year agreement will see JIBC begin delivering its programs at OC this fall with approximately 600 students expected to take the training over the course of the agreement.“Okanagan College and the Justice Institute of British Columb...
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Big assist: Callahan Property Group gives major gift to recreation centre
June 2, 2025
It’s an inspiring gift set to empower youth, strengthen community ties and champion the power of education.Bruce and Bob Callahan, philanthropists and owners of Callahan Property Group, are donating $200,000 to the Thrive Here campaign for a Recreation and Wellness Centre at Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus.Bruce Callahan, president of Callahan Property Group, says the family-owned business prides itself on supporting community organizations.“We are thrilled to support this centre,” says Bruce. “I am an Okanagan College alumni and ...
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Local Practice Architecture + Design, BCIT and Okanagan College partner to provide an ‘ACE’ in the hole for future builders
May 7, 2025
Students in the Okanagan Valley will soon be able to register for a program designed to help young adults explore various career paths in architecture, construction management, and engineering, through a unique mix of classroom learning, online courses, and paid industry internships.Supported by the Province of B.C.’s Workplace Innovation Fund, the Certificate in Essential Technical Skills for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE Certificate), delivered by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), will soon al...
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The ACTION Project provides support for female apprentices
May 2, 2025
With the recent celebration of Construction and Skilled Trades Month, Okanagan College is pleased to announce it has launched a new web page dedicated to supporting the retention of apprentices in the skilled trades, as part of its ongoing efforts to increase the number of people entering the skilled trades.The ACTION Project website at okanagan.bc.ca/action is a dedicated online platform designed to connect female and gender-diverse apprentices in BC’s construction and manufacturing trades with critical supports and opportunities, ...
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Okanagan College takes ACTION to support women in trades
March 7, 2025
Okanagan College (OC) and the Government of Canada have partnered to support female apprentices with a new mentorship and education program aimed at increasing opportunities for females to enter the trades and complete their Red Seal certification.Okanagan College is receiving $873,000 over three years from the Government of Canada to support women in the skilled trades through the ACTION project: Apprenticeship Completion and Networking.The project will support retention and progression of female apprentices in construction and man...
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Okanagan College partners with WeBC to empower women entrepreneurs in the beverage and construction industries
January 30, 2025
Okanagan College (OC), OC’s BC BTAC (BC Beverage Technology Access Centre) and WeBC (Women’s Enterprise Centre) know that when women entrepreneurs come together, their collective strength and innovation can transform industries.Recognizing this, the organizations have partnered to launch two new peer mentorship programs designed to empower women in the beverage and construction sectors as part of the Growing Women Entrepreneurs project. This initiative aims to increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the beve...
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Okanagan College paves the way for Net-Zero building training with $495,000 FortisBC collaboration
January 21, 2025
When Okanagan College alum Jerrot MacLeod was working in the Alberta oil fields pre-pandemic, he saw the construction industry undergoing a shift toward more energy efficient building practices.Looking for a career pivot, he enrolled in OC’s Sustainable Building Technology diploma program, learning new skills around net-zero building. He was hired as soon as he graduated as the energy manager for Method Engineering and Business Services.“The knowledge I gained provided me with a solid foundation in the technical aspects of...
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