Trades and Apprenticeship

Carpentry student uses drill on ductwork during applied learning.

Trades Continuing Studies

Industry Training
IP Refreshers
General Interest
Corporate/Group Training
BC Employer Training Grant
Trades Industry Training courses and corporate training may be eligible for the BC Employer Training Grant. 

Employers can apply to receive 80% of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000. The B.C. Employer Training Grant provides funding to small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces.

To find out more information including eligibility criteria and how to apply visit: BC Employer Training Grant

Corporate Training

Okanagan College’s Trades Corporate Training is designed to deliver continuous learning to your organization through personalized contract training.

We offer customized, private training programs tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses, non-profits, and professional associations.

Find out more

Trades Industry Training

Electrical

Prerequisite Required
Field Safety Representative (FSR)

*Newly developed self-paced online course now available

Register Now

Mechanical Building

Prerequisite Required
Cross Connection Control - Backflow Preventer Tester's License*

Register Now

Cross Control Backflow Preventer Tester Recertification

Register Now

Cross Connection Control Exam

Register Now

Non - Prerequisite
Canada's Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program

Register Now

Boiler Basic Safety Awareness

Course offered at  Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm & Penticton Campuses

Register Now

Motor Vehicle

Prerequisite Required
Battery Electric Vehicle Technology and Service

Register Now

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Calibration and Diagnostics

Register Now

Authorized Inspectors Course
Formerly known as Private/Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program

Register Now

Airbrakes Repairer for Mechanics

Register Now

Class 2 Driver's Training *NEW*

Continuous enrollment

Register Now

Non - Prerequisite
Air Brakes Endorsement Theory and Pre-Trip Inspection

Course offered at  Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke & Vernon Campuses

Register Now

Tractor Maintenance

Register Now

Facility Operator Course
Formerly known as Designated Inspection Facility Operator

Self guided online course: continuous open enrollment

Register Now

Canada's Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program

Continuous open enrollment

Register Now

 

Micro-Credential Course

Non - Prerequisite
Solar Photovoltaic Systems Introduction & Installation
Apply to OC Now
Prerequisite Required
Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Professionals

Apply to OC Now

Windows and Doors Installations and Retrofit: Advanced Hands-on Module 2

Register Now

Foreperson Skills

Non - Prerequisite
Foreperson Foundational Skills - Electrical

Register Now

Foreperson Foundational Skills - HVAC/Plumbing

Register Now

Foreperson Foundational Skills - Framing

Register Now

Foreperson Foundational Skills - All Trades

Register Now

Safety Training

Non - Prerequisite
Forklift Truck Operator - Non-Experienced

Course offered at Kelowna, Penticton & Vernon Campuses

Register Now

H2S Alive
Fall Protection
Ground Disturbance

Trades Interprovincial Red Seal Refreshers

On December 1, 2022, Industry Training Authority (ITA) became SkilledTradesBC. While their role in advancing B.C.'s skilled trades system hasn’t changed, it has expanded. This includes a larger focus on raising the profile of skilled trades, modernizing their approach to trades training, and implementing Skilled Trades Certification.

Under Skilled Trades Certification, it is mandatory for all trade workers to be a registered apprentice or fully certified to work in specific trades, starting with seven electrical and mechanical trades in December 2023. Three automotive trades will be introduced as Skilled Trades Certification trades in 2024 and will have one year to transition once announced.

Open for Registration:

Prerequisites:

Students must satisfy the minimum requirements as established by the SkilledTrades BC (STBC). All participants must provide Okanagan College with their SkilledTradesBC Trade Worker ID #. Access to the online course will be granted once proof of approval is emailed to trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Trades General Interest Programs

Trades Kids Programs

Trades Kids programs are back! Trades Explorer programs are also available for youth. 

These exciting, weekend trades programs are designed to help kids and youth learn new hands-on skills in our state-of-the-art Trades Training Complex at the Kelowna campus, the Centre of Excellence at the Penticton campus and Vernon Trades.

New programs are being added on a regular basis. Join our mailing list to receive announcements about upcoming programs.

Join our mailing list

young girl using a piece of equipment inside the sheet metal shop
Private Group Sessions

Looking for a unique, enriching experience for your team or youth group? We offer the flexibility to tailor any of our youth courses into a private group session—perfect for youth organizations in search of engaging, educational opportunities. Contact Trades Program Coordinator for more information.

Kelowna Campus

Young Adult Small Engine Repair

June 20, Sat 9am - 1pm

New Drivers

Not currently offered

Register Now

Vernon Campus

Young Adult Small Engine Repair

Not currently offered.

New Drivers

Not  currently offered

Register Now

Trades Adults Programs

These NEW programs give adults the opportunity to explore the trades and learn new hands-on skills in our state-of-the-art Trades Training Complex at the Kelowna campus, Centre of Excellence at the Penticton campus and Vernon Trades.

Online registration now open!

New programs are being added on a regular basis. Join our mailing list to receive announcements about upcoming programs.

 Join our mailing list

women using tire change over equipment in automotive shop
Private Group Sessions

Looking for a unique, enriching experience for your team or youth group? We offer the flexibility to tailor any of our general interest courses into a private group session—perfect for businesses seeking team-building activities in search of engaging, fun and educational opportunities. Contact Trades Program Coordinator for more information.

Vernon Campus

Auto Masters - New Driver

Not currently scheduled

Small Engine Repair

June 13 - Sat 9am-1pm

Auto Masters - Adult

Sept 19 - Sat 9am-1pm

Intro to Tools

May 9 - Sat 9am-1pm

Register Now

Salmon Arm Campus

Welding Essential Skills

Not currently scheduled

Intro to TIG Welding

Not currently scheduled

Intro to MIG Welding

Not currently scheduled

Intro to Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Not currently scheduled

Register Now

Kelowna Campus

Intro to Tools

Not currently offered

Introduction to Power Tool Safety

Not currently offered

Auto Masters - Adult

June 6, Sat 9am-1pm

Small Engine Repair

Not currently offered

Motorcycle Maintenance

Not currently offered

Auto Masters - New Drivers

Not currently offered

Traditional Bow Making

June 26-28, Fri 4pm-8pm, Sat & Sun 8am-4pm

Welding Series

Welding Essentials

May 30, Sat 9am-3pm

Intro to MIG Welding

May 30, Sat 9am-3pm

Intro to Stick Welding

June 6, Sat 9am-3pm

Intro to TIG Welding

June 27, Sat 9am-3pm

Metal Flower Workshop

May 9, Sat 9am-3pm

June 20, Sat 9am-3pm

Register Now

Upcoming New Courses

Foreperson Skills - Now Online
Foreperson Foundational Skills – Electrical
Foreperson Foundational Skills – HVAC/Plumbing
Foreperson Foundational Skills – Framing

Foreperson Foundational Skills – All Trades

Register

Welding Courses
Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon
  • Welding Essential Skills - One Day Course

After completing the Essential Skills increase your skills with:

  • Intro to Gas Metal Arc (MIG) Welding
  • Intro to Shielded Metal Arc (stick) Welding
  • Intro to Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG) Welding

Register

Welding

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

No refunds or transfers will be issued one week prior to the start of the class.  As well, no refunds or transfers will be provided for individuals who do not attend a course.

All refunds are issued by cheque to the registered student unless there is a Sponsorship Agreement in place. Refunds do not include the cost of books or other supplies. Refunds may take up to six weeks to process.

If the student has not received the materials when they are approved for the refund, then the cost of the materials should be refunded.

Refund policy exceptions are made on compassionate grounds or special circumstances. In such cases a written request for refund, accompanied by appropriate documentation (i.e. medical, court subpoena) must be submitted to the department for approval.

Trades Corporate Training

Trades Corporate Training at Okanagan College is about bringing ongoing learning to your organization through customized contract training.  

We provide private training for businesses, non-profit organizations, and professional associations.  Whether you have a group of employees with a specific skills gap, want to provide training as a service for your own clients, or need a comprehensive training and development plan across your company, we can help.  Our customized training includes:

  • Industry specific instructors
  • Tailored curriculum
  • Training at your location, ours, or online
  • Custom training dates
  • Assistance with government grants

Okanagan College can deliver your training where and when you need it. Contact us at trades@okanagan.bc.ca to get started. 

student driving a yellow forklift lifting a wooden pallet with beautiful clear sunny sky in the background

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Trades and Apprenticeship
Address

T115 - 1000 KLO Rd.
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
250-762-5445
1-877-755-2266 (toll-free)
Email
trades@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday - Friday: 7:30-4:00
Saturday: Closed