Okanagan College is Creating the Workforce of the Future – One Student at a Time

When it comes to setting students up for success, Okanagan College offers its graduates a competitive edge. The way the College is able to help jump-start careers involves aligning its programming with the real-world job needs of the region and involving prospective employers in the training process. Essentially, College programs bring employers onto campus and provides opportunities for students to get work-integrated learning opportunities such as co-op and practicum work terms.

Okanagan College’s core mission is to provide high-quality, publicly funded education that leverages employer engagement to transform lives and communities. The result is a curriculum that is centred on real-world needs, with training developed in response to community input.

Making Education Real-World Friendly

In their mission, the College has been carefully fostering relationships across a wide range of fields. Kevin Parnell, Associate Director of College Relations, sums it up nicely. “The way we give our students an edge is by expanding beyond the classrooms, by getting our students out in the community and giving them hands-on learning experiences,” he tells us. “In-field learning is a key component of the Okanagan College platform, impacting every area of learning we offer.”

Examples of this forward-thinking approach to learning include a component of the culinary arts program that sends students out foraging for mushrooms, and placing early childhood education students in real-world learning opportunities in child-care settings. Students gain essential skills while also building connections with community members and potential employers. According to Parnell, this enables Okanagan College to serve the communities where it operates. Preparing the workforce of tomorrow means anticipating the community’s needs and drawing on local experts to meet that demand. “Our students are primed to help build the community up by filling critical gaps in the system.”

There are two components – knowledge-based training, and building connections within many fields. Students at Okanagan College work directly with industry, so when their program is completed, they don’t just have the knowledge they need; they gain experience in their area of study and invaluable contacts as they prepare for their career. Industry-experienced faculty provide quality education in a learning environment and are able to provide one-on-one instruction.

Creating The Workforce of the Future is More Important Than Ever

This decade’s rapidly changing employment market has posed real challenges for BC communities, leaving significant gaps in finding skilled labour. This shortage can be seen in healthcare, education, construction, and business management. Okanagan College is supporting students to be able to make an impact in these fields. “There is a shortage of skilled workers, not just throughout BC but right across Canada, and our programs have adapted to train our students for those desirable positions – and to enable them to be able to step directly into the workforce,” continues Parnell.

Students Gain an Important Edge Through Okanagan College’s Close Ties to Industry

The four campuses of Okanagan College serve the cities of Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton, along with the surrounding regions, where some of Canada’s best companies are based. The benefits of living and working in the Okanagan has attracted many students to the College. “We firmly believe that an education will be more valuable when it includes real-world experiences,” Parnell says, and the diversity of employers across the Okanagan Valley has made this goal achievable. Okanagan College courses fall under five main academic areas: Business, Health, Trades and Apprenticeships, Science and Technology, and Arts and Foundational. This last category incorporates a developing new trend in education—students who want to re-skill or “up-skill,” taking current skill sets to the next level or preparing for future re-training opportunities.

The College also has a growing number of microcredentials (shorter programs for people who want to re-skill or “up-skill”) taking a current skill set to the next level or preparing for future re-training opportunities.

The College also works with local businesses and offers both professional development opportunities and corporate training.

They also recently introduced online Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs that are designed to attract more students and help fill the high demand from parents across the Okanagan.

Looking to the Future: Building the Hub for Food, Beverage, and Tourism

Ever forward-looking, Okanagan College is continually engaging with local leaders to anticipate industry needs. This approach has led to the fine-tuning of training in one of BC’s top growth areas—food, beverage and tourism sectors. All Okanagan College locations have a thriving tourism base. Kelowna offers many excellent restaurants, and the region is wine country! A new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism will open in 2027 and offer enhanced programming to support these critical sectors in the region.

To find out more about the Okanagan College’s strategic learning plan and how it can kick-start your learning goals, check out the Okanagan College website. The college’s Facebook profile is also a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest and innovative learning options.

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