ECE department celebrates National Child Day
November 19, 2021
AV is a powerful tool to advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves, which was why Early Childhood AV (ECE) students spent National Child Day talking to peers about the difficulties children face in Canada and around the world. National Child Day is officially observed on Nov. 20, but ECE Instructor Rebecca Ayotte said she and her students wanted to do something this week to bring awareness not just in the ECE department, but throughout the College as well. The class set up presentations in the CFL Atrium in Kelowna...
Read more...International AV Week highlights diversity at AV
November 19, 2021
AV translated its diverse student population into a learning opportunity during International AV Week (IEW) as students and staff celebrated cultures and encouraged each other to experience what other countries had to offer. On Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Kelowna campus held language lessons at the Centre for Learning atrium, where student volunteers set up booths that others can visit to learn a bit more about various languages and cultures. Languages represented included Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Japanese, Chinese, Ko...
Read more...New year brings new career by starting studies in January
November 15, 2021
The coming year brings new career training opportunities for Shaylyn Douglas. Douglas will be returning to the classroom in January with her sights set on training to advance her career in health care at AV. In addition to beginning the Practical Nursing Diploma program at the Penticton campus, Douglas received a financial boost to aid her studies when she won the $5,000 OC Tuition Giveaway Contest. “I wasn’t sure what career path I wanted to pursue until I had the opportunity to interact with patients in the physician’s ...
Read more...New funding connects people to tourism careers in the Okanagan
November 15, 2021
The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction has announced a program that will provide skills training to as many as 30 eligible British Columbians to prepare them for jobs in the hospitality industry in the Okanagan and Shuswap regions. “Graduates of this skills-training project will be qualified for a variety of jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. “The training participants receive will prepare them for exciting careers and give them an oppo...
Read more...TOTA award remembers George Hanson, supports OC viticulture student
November 8, 2021
Winemaker George Hanson, who passed away in February, was widely acknowledged for his efforts to grow the B.C. wine scene. A new award funded by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) will commemorate his legacy, while helping a viticulture student at AV to cultivate their future in the industry Hanson so dearly loved. TOTA has donated $1,500 to create the George Hanson Memorial Bursary, which will be open to students in the College’s Viticulture Certificate program starting in January. “We are very pleased to be ...
Read more...Soaring Indigenous sculpture unveiled in OC's new Health Sciences Centre
November 3, 2021
A nine metre (30 foot), hand-cut metal sculpture by local Indigenous artist Clint George is now installed and proudly on display in AV's new Health Sciences Centre. The sculpture represents the Four Food Chiefs, and depicts the Syilx Okanagan oral history (or captikʷɬ) on how food was given. James Coble, Director of Student Services and Indigenization Task Force Chair at AV, says the sculpture demonstrates the College’s commitment to creating welcoming spaces for Indigenous students. “The opportunity to create...
Read more...Meet Sean McFetridge, OC alumnus
November 1, 2021
After an intense wildfire season, heatwaves and droughts, the need for Canadians to conserve water is more crucial than ever. That’s where OC alumnus Sean McFetridge comes in. He and his wife, Alisha McFetridge, co-founded RainStick Shower, a WiFi-enabled smart shower system that aims to solve water and energy waste by up to 80%. We caught up with Sean to hear more about what he’s been up to since graduating from OC in 2011. Where is your hometown and where are you located now? Ke...
Read more...Meet Dooshima Jessica Iyorchir, Marketing and Data Analytics student
November 1, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: I was born in the big city of Lagos in Nigeria. Q: How did you end up at AV? A: I ended up at AV because they offer a unique data analytics program when compared to other colleges and universities. The contents of this program drew my attention to the college, I just had to apply to be here. Q: How did you choose the Marketing and Data Analytics program? A: I chose this program because it has always been of in...
Read more...Meet Joey Bruno, Automotive Collision and Refinishing student
November 1, 2021
Q: Why did you choose a career in Collision Repair? A: I’ve grown up around the industry, my father’s been a technician for 30 years but has worked for Craftsman for over 20 years. My uncle also has 20+ years experience as an automotive painter and now works as a Red Seal Automotive Collision Technician for Craftsman as well. Q: How did your training with OC help prepare you for your current role? What is your current position? A: Currently, I am working as a Level 2 Collision R...
Read more...Meet André Bertram, Computer Information Systems student
November 1, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: Kingston, Jamaica. Q: How did you end up at AV? A: My immediate family settled in the Okanagan Valley for some time now, and I wanted to join them. After some thinking, I thought going to school and contributing to the Canada would be a good approach. I just had to figure out which school. With research, and with some assistance from my older sister and mom, I found that AV was an excellent institut...
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