OC increases access to early childhood education in the South Okanagan
February 22, 2023
AVÌìÌà (OC) is opening new spaces for people interested in working in early childhood education, as childcare facilities across the region and British Columbia continue to face staffing challenges. The Early Childhood AVÌìÌà Certificate program starts at OC’s Penticton campus in mid-March and runs through May 2024. The intake will have space for 24 students, adding to the more than 145 Early Childhood AVÌìÌà students studying at AVÌìÌà in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton this year. According to the province’s Labour...
Read more...
Plasma donor drive campaign boosts OC nursing student with $3,000 bursary
February 22, 2023
AVÌìÌà nursing student Taylor Hubick learned a valuable lesson this year: persistence with plasma donation pays off. Hubick is the recipient of the Canadian Blood Services bursary of $3,000 for her studies in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, for recruiting 23 plasma donors between May and October last year. Hubick says she originally got recruited to donate by a friend who was studying on Vancouver Island. “She pulled out of the challenge because she was going travelling, and that’s when I realized I should do...
Read more...
Community donations support College's trades facility
February 21, 2023
Two recent donations to AVÌìÌÃ’s trades training facility are a perfect example of how partnerships with the community continue to benefit students. People taking courses in AVÌìÌÃ’s RV Training program are benefitting from donations that allow them to work on equipment that is in use in the industry. GLP Canada and Atlas Trailer both donated an assortment of new appliances including hot water heaters, furnaces and range/oven to the RV Training program. “Thank you to our valued partners in the community ...
Read more...
College students mentoring high school peers for Sustainable Development Challenge
February 17, 2023
It’s students helping students tackle the biggest issues of our time. AVÌìÌà (OC) students have joined forces with youth leaders in Grades 8 to 12 in the Central Okanagan to provide mentorship on projects that will impact the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The high school teams are preparing for a local Sustainable Development Challenge event, inspired by the UN initiative, and are able to bounce their ideas and projects off OC students prior to the challenge finale later this month. VIDEO: OC students...
Read more...
Acclaimed musician brings Songwriting 101 to OC Salmon Arm and Revelstoke
February 16, 2023
Have you ever had a song that you couldn’t get out of your head? An award-winning local musician is presenting a day-long introduction to the craft and joy of songwriting at AVÌìÌà in Salmon Arm and Revelstoke. Joanne Stacey has spent most of her life working in the music business as a performer, musician, recording artist, and songwriter. On Feb. 25 in Salmon Arm and again on March 11 in Revelstoke, Stacey will be pouring that lifetime of music industry experience and songwriting expertise into a new course: Songwriting 101. “...
Read more...
Local couple's Okanagan Dream Rally contribution is a dream come true for AVÌìÌà students
February 14, 2023
Jason and Laura Norup-Boyer are passionate about education; that’s why when they participated in the auction at the 2022 Okanagan Dream Rally, they requested their $40,000 contribution go to bursaries for AVÌìÌà students. The Okanagan Dream Rally is a well-established fundraising event hosted by the August Family Foundation. The Rally, which has raised upwards of $3 million for local charities since its inception, pairs special needs children with high-end cars and drivers for the day. Last year’s event drew more than 50,000 spe...
Read more...
OC's Spaghetti Bridge Building Contest set to return for 38th year this spring
February 13, 2023
Spaghetti is back on the menu at AVÌìÌà this spring.A fixture on the spring calendar in the Okanagan for nearly four decades, the College's popular Spaghetti Bridge Building Contest will return this March for the first time since 2020.OC will host the 38th annual contest on Friday, March 3 at the Kelowna campus. Organizers are putting the call out to teachers and students from elementary through post-secondary to participate.Students can enter the following competitions:Elementary School Students: Elementary School Demonstration (...
Read more...
College focused on training workers as new labour market outlook forecasts more than one million jobs
February 8, 2023
With more than 120,000 job openings expected in the Thompson-Okanagan in the next decade, AVÌìÌà wants to help people living across the region map out their education, skills training, and career paths. B.C.’s latest Labour Market Outlook was unveiled today and over the ten-year forecast period shows regional employment demand increasing by 1.4 per cent on average each year for the next decade. The top industries in Thompson-Okanagan by job openings include retail trade (excluding cars, online shopping and personal care), hospit...
Read more...
Celebrate Valentine's with Enactus OC fundraiser
February 8, 2023
Enactus AVÌìÌà will celebrate Valentine's Day in Kelowna E Building Atrium on Feb. 14 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please join us to share the love and support to Enactus OC Students competing in the upcoming Regional Competition this March 2023. Enactus will have snacks, games, and Unusually Good Candles. We will be selling the UGFC Candles for $15 each. Pre-orders are accepted. Send a text message to 236-853-3612 or e-mail vppenticton@enactusoc.ca. You can place an order online too at Apple Pomace Candle Unusually ...
Read more...
Okanagan resident sharpens skills with Continuing Studies program
February 7, 2023
Vernon resident Keith Schmaltz spent most of his career working in the heavy-duty equipment industry. But after a nearly 40-year career, he decided he wanted to learn some new skills and continue that career in a related field. Enter AVÌìÌÃ’s Continuing Studies department, offering programs and courses to suit all different learning needs. Keith enrolled in the Professional Industry Driver program, offered by AVÌìÌà in collaboration with Taylor Pro Training and BC Forest Safety Council. The program is funded by the Gov...
Read more...