Celebrating the ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē career of Dr. Bill Gillett
December 13, 2023
With the retirement of Dr. William Gillett (Bill), ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē will certainly miss the former Dean of the School of Business. But we are in a celebratory mood and wish Bill all the best with his well-deserved retirement after a long career. "It has been a distinct pleasure and true privilege to be a part of the Okanagan School of Business and witness the incredible skill and dedication of the faculty and instructors as they inspire and guide our students to success in their careers and lives," said Bill. "The entire Okanagan community has be...
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New Dean to join ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās School of Business
December 8, 2023
ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē is pleased to announce that Joe Baker, a passionate academic leader and entrepreneur within Canadaās education, tourism and hospitality sectors, has been named the new Dean of the ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē School of Business. Baker spent nearly 15 years in academic leadership roles at George Brown College and Centennial College. Over the last several years he has led his own consulting business, providing leadership and support to several workforce development initiatives, with a focus on the public sector. āI was born and raised in Vancouver a...
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Meet Jessica Skerlec
December 8, 2023
What is your name? Jessica Skerlec What are your pronouns? She/her Where is your hometown and where are you located now? Raised in Kelowna and still currently living in Kelowna. What did you take at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē? What campus did you attend? I took my Bachelorās of Business Administration at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē, specializing in Human Resources Management at the Kelowna Campus. What is your current position? Negotiator for the National Collective Bargaining ...
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Horticulture pilot project providing new skills to Okanagan farm workers
November 27, 2023
Semi-retired and looking for a new challenge, South Okanagan resident Bob Atkinson turned to farming five years ago and now counts hundreds of nectarine, peach and cherry trees on his orchard at Debeck Farms. Atkinson was among close to 20 Okanagan farm workers and owners that were the first to complete the Horticulture Upskill Program at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē, a pilot program designed to provide expanded skills and tangible learning to agricultural workers employed by the tree fruit and wine grape industries. āThere was a wealth of info...
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Mural at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē honours residential school survivors
November 24, 2023
A large mural that honours residential school survivors has been unveiled at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās Kelowna campus, designed and painted by Syilx artist Sheldon Pierre Louis. Titled suŹkncutās prayers, the acrylic latex mural measures 10 feet tall by 21 feet wide and raises awareness about the legacy and impacts of the residential school system. The mural was officially unveiled Nov. 24 with a special ceremony at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās Kelowna campus. āThe mural signifies ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās lasting commitment to advancing truth and reconciliation at our campu...
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ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē Cultivates event fosters local food, wine and tourism businesses
November 21, 2023
New event series kick-off hosts panel of local experts, facilitated by CBCās Sarah Penton.Youāve heard of the iconic Okanagan Champagne powder or our four-season playgrounds, but did you know the Okanagan is also leading the way in innovation in food and beverage and tourism?A new ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē event series, ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē Cultivates, aims to celebrate and explore Okanaganās unique and exciting food, beverage and tourism industries with a kick-off event featuring local experts and a panel discussion hosted by CBC Radio West host, Sarah Penton.The fi...
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ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē international alum empowering women in technology
November 16, 2023
ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē alum Fernanda Alves is using her education to foster diversity in the tech industry. A former ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē international student from Brazil and alum of the Computer Information System Diploma, Alves was the organizer of the 2023 Women in Technology Panel which brought together women from diverse fields and positions to share their experiences navigating the tech industry. Fernanda received recognition at the President's Reception for Student Ambassadors. āOrganizing the Women in Tech Panel was one of the be...
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New ECE offerings at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē responding to workforce demands
November 8, 2023
Working as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) assistant for the past 20 years has provided Pentictonās Karen Block with a rewarding career helping children learn, grow and play. Block took the opportunity to enhance her career and learn additional skills through the new ECE Certificate program at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē. The program offers students flexibility to attend classes and upskill, while continuing to work in their field. āBecause my classes are offered in a hybrid format, it has been possible for me to continue working during the...
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City of Kelowna supports ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē trades programs through garbage truck donation
November 1, 2023
One personās trash certainly can be anotherās treasure. The City of Kelowna proved the old saying true by donating a garbage truck to ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās Trades and Apprenticeship program this September. āWhen we determined that this garbage truck was at the end of its service life, we were happy to donate it as a hands-on training tool for ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē students,ā said Scott Hoekstra, Manager, Landfill & Composing Operations, City of Kelowna. āWeāre facing a shortage of skilled trades professionals, and we know that this donation w...
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ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē marks 60 years of alumni and employee success
November 1, 2023
Sixty years is worth celebrating ā thatās what brought out over 100 alumni, staff and ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē supporters last month, as ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē marked its 60th anniversary and the impact of tens of thousands of graduates since post-secondary came to the region. The Collegeās story began in 1963, when the B.C. Vocational Institute was first established. Since that time more than 60,000 graduates have passed through ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās campuses in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna, and sites in Revelstoke and Oliver. ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ēās alumni have made huge impa...
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