OCNews

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 at Okanagan College. 

The new programs will help address growing workforce shortages in medical laboratories across the region and province, creating more opportunities for students to pursue rewarding careers while strengthening the health care system British Columbians rely on every day. 

Beginning in September 2027, the programs will provide hands-on, industry-aligned training that prepares graduates to work in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, community health centres and other care settings. Medical laboratory professionals play a critical role in hospitals and community sites, supporting diagnosis, treatment and disease prevention through the collection and analysis of laboratory specimens.  

The Province's $1.5 million contribution will support the development and delivery of the programs, including specialized equipment, learning spaces and instructional resources required to train the next generation of laboratory professionals.  

The new programs align with Okanagan College's commitment to expanding access to career-focused education that responds directly to regional labour market needs. Graduates will enter a sector experiencing strong demand and play an important role in supporting patient care throughout British Columbia. 

Additional details regarding program intake dates, admission requirements and application timelines will be confirmed in the coming months. 

Quotes

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills 
“Our healthcare system is most effective when it’s supported by highly trained workers at all levels. Clinicians rely on the work of laboratory professionals to diagnose and prevent illness. That’s why government is so pleased to support the launch of Okanagan College’s new Laboratory Technologist and Laboratory Assistant programs. This investment shows government’s commitment to ensuring our healthcare workforce is efficient, balanced and effective, so people have full access to the care they need.”

Dr. Neil Fassina, President, Okanagan College 
"Our health care system depends on a broad team of professionals to deliver patient care. Medical laboratory professionals play a critical role in diagnosis, treatment and health outcomes every day. Okanagan College is committed to creating more opportunities for students to train for these and other in-demand careers close to home, as we help build the workforce our communities need while strengthening access to quality health care across the region for years to come." 

Dr. Samantha Lenci, Provost and Vice President Academic, Okanagan College 
"At Okanagan College, we know students learn best when they can connect classroom knowledge with real-world experience. These new programs will be delivered in close collaboration with our incredible partners, including Interior Health, Dynacare, LifeLab and others across the region, to ensure students gain the practical skills, professional experience and industry insight needed to succeed from day one. Through hands-on learning, simulation, and workplace-based training opportunities, students will graduate ready to make an immediate contribution to the health care teams serving our communities." 

Sylvia Weir, president and CEO, Interior Health 
“Medical laboratory professionals are essential members of our health-care teams, providing the vital testing patients rely on every day. This investment in training at Okanagan College will help build a strong, sustainable workforce in the Interior, help address the critical shortage of medical lab professionals and reduce patient wait times for testing, diagnosis and treatment. We’re proud to partner in developing programs that support patient care in our communities, now and in the future.”

Gene Macdonald Name, Vice President, Government Partnerships – West, LifeLabs 
“We are thrilled to see Okanagan College expand its healthcare education offerings in the Okanagan,” says Gene Macdonald, Vice President, Government Partnerships – West. “LifeLabs supports initiatives that help grow and sustain the healthcare workforce and improve access to care. These investments are essential to meeting the region’s future healthcare needs and strengthening the overall capacity of the healthcare system.” 

Quick Facts 

• The Province of British Columbia is investing $1.5 million to support the launch of Medical Laboratory Technologist and Medical Laboratory Assistant programs at Okanagan College. 
• Medical laboratory professionals are responsible for collecting, processing and analyzing specimens used in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. 
• Graduates can pursue careers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, public health agencies and community health-care settings. 
• Okanagan College will be the first college in the Interior region to offer the Medical Laboratory Technologist Diploma program. Currently, the two post-secondary institutions in B.C. offering MLT training are College of New Caledonia (Prince George) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby).  
• The programs are designed to help address workforce shortages in medical laboratory services throughout British Columbia. 
   

Learn More 

Information about the new programs will be available at Okanagan College as program development progresses.