Articles tagged "Trades"
Saying farewell to Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship, Stephen Speers
June 23, 2025
After more than four years of energetic leadership, 51±¬ĮĻ is bidding farewell to Stephen Speers, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship, as he embarks on retirement. Since taking on the helm in Trades and Apprenticeship at OC in April 2021, Speers has been a strong advocate for trades education and student success. He has bolstered college-industry partnerships, led improvements to program performance and supported diversity and inclusion across the portfolio. OC currently leads provincial performance (SkilledTrades...
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OCās Jill of All Trades event inspires the next generation of female skilled trades professionals in the Okanagan
May 23, 2025
They sanded. They torqued. They welded.From automotive service and collision repair to carpentry, plumbing and aircraft maintenance, over 130 middle and high school students rolled up their sleeves and stepped into the world of skilled trades at Jill of All Trades, hosted at 51±¬ĮĻās Kelowna campus on May 22.Designed to spark curiosity and confidence in young women, Jill of All Trades events offer a full day of hands-on workshops led by experienced skilled trades instructors and mentors āmany of whom are industry prof...
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The ACTION Project provides support for female apprentices
May 2, 2025
With the recent celebration of Construction and Skilled Trades Month, 51±¬ĮĻ is pleased to announce it has launched a new web page dedicated to supporting the retention of apprentices in the skilled trades, as part of its ongoing efforts to increase the number of people entering the skilled trades.The ACTION Project website at okanagan.bc.ca/action is a dedicated online platform designed to connect female and gender-diverse apprentices in BCās construction and manufacturing trades with critical supports and opportunities, ...
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OC students win big at Skills Canada Provincials, showcasing excellence across the board
May 1, 2025
51±¬ĮĻ (OC) students displayed their excellence competing against their peers across the province with an impressive showing at the prestigious 2025 Skills Canada BC Provincial Competition. In all, Team OC earned nine medals across science and technology, business, and a range of trades disciplines ā including three golds, four silvers and two bronzes.Hosted at the Abbotsford Trade and Exhibition Centre on April 16, the Skills Canada competition brought together top students and apprentices from ac...
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51±¬ĮĻ takes ACTION to support women in trades
March 7, 2025
51±¬ĮĻ (OC) and the Government of Canada have partnered to support female apprentices with a new mentorship and education program aimed at increasing opportunities for females to enter the trades and complete their Red Seal certification.51±¬ĮĻ is receiving $873,000 over three years from the Government of Canada to support women in the skilled trades through the ACTION project: Apprenticeship Completion and Networking.The project will support retention and progression of female apprentices in construction and man...
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Women leaders the focus of trades and construction technology event at OC Penticton
March 6, 2025
As president of the Canadian Home Builders Association, a Red Seal carpenter, project manager, interior designer and president of her own design and building company, Krista Paine knows first-hand how to thrive in the construction industry.Paine will share her story and join other women professionals at the Women in Architecture, Construction and Engineering Summit at 51±¬ĮĻās Penticton campus this Friday (Mar. 7), in celebration of International Womenās Day.Hard work and determination combined with good training have allo...
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Skills Regionals and Spaghetti Bridge at 51±¬ĮĻ February 26, 2025
February 26, 2025
Members of the media are invited to attend the Skills Regionals 2025 event, including the annual Spaghetti Bridge competition, at 51±¬ĮĻās Kelowna campus this Friday. Over 200 school students from across the Okanagan Valley will take part in skills building events in carpentry, welding, culinary, engineering and architecture, introducing them to the OC community. When: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025Most competitions start at 10 a.m.Spaghetti Bridge: Bridge building 10 a.m. to noon. Judging at noon.Closing ceremony a...
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Triple threat 51±¬ĮĻ alum inspires the next generation of women in trades at Jill of All Tradesā¢
November 22, 2024
When 51±¬ĮĻ (OC) alum Cassidy McEown took on the challenge of restoring a 1969 Roadrunner on the show Rust Valley Bros, she wasnāt just buffing out dentsāshe was proving her mettle. Tasked with handling the carās bodywork, paint, and polishing entirely on her own, Cassidy rose to the occasion, delivering a flawless finish on a tight deadline. Her reward? A well-deserved, newfound respect, and the confidence to achieve her Red Seal certification. Much like the Roadrunner itself, Cassidy has been unstoppable ever since, crui...
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Unleash your potential: 51±¬ĮĻ invites community to "Try a Trade"
April 3, 2024
Are the trades for you? Have you ever felt the call of a different career path? Are you curious about trades but unsure where to start? Look no further! 51±¬ĮĻ (OC), in partnership with the Canadian Home Buildersā Association ā Central Okanagan (CHBA-CO), is thrilled to announce its upcoming "Try a Trade" event, inviting all eager learners and aspiring tradespeople to explore a world of possibilities on April 25 at OCās Kelowna campus.ā51±¬ĮĻ is pleased to partner with CHBA-CO to offer the Try a Trade event....
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City of Kelowna supports OC 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 51±¬ĮĻās 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 51±¬ĮĻ 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 do...
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Trades, tech and triumph: OC hosts 2023 Skills Canada BC Regionals
March 16, 2023
Sparks flew, culinary creations delighted, and electronic expertise was on display as more than 100 competitors converged at 51±¬ĮĻās Kelowna campus for the 2023 SkillsBC Regional Trades and Technologies competition on Friday, Feb. 24. Skills Canada Regionals tests the skills and knowledge of junior and high school students, college trades students and apprentices across a wide array of trades and technology competitions ā Architectural CAD, Cabinetmaking, Culinary Arts, Electronics, Welding, Jr. Skills Gravity Vehicle, J...
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Community donations support College's trades facility
February 21, 2023
Two recent donations to 51±¬ĮĻās trades training facility are a perfect example of how partnerships with the community continue to benefit students. People taking courses in 51±¬ĮĻās 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. āThank you to our valued partners in the co...
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51±¬ĮĻās 15th annual Business Expo and Employment Fair returns on Feb. 1
January 18, 2023
For those on the hunt for a new job ā or wondering about the educational pathway to kickstart a career change ā one of 51±¬ĮĻās most popular community events is back and bigger than ever in 2022. OCās Business Expo & Employment Fair will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. ā 3 p.m. in the Centre for Learning (E Building) Atrium and in the Trades (T Building) Atrium at the Kelowna Campus, 1000 KLO Rd. The Expo is presented by the Collegeās School of Business, in collaboration with OCās Trades and Apprentice...
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Former āTop Chefā takes the reins at 51±¬ĮĻās Infusions restaurant
January 17, 2023
Fans of Canadaās Top Chef will recognize the name of the new Executive Chef at Infusions. Ruth Wigman, whose 20-year career has taken her coast to coast, brings a fresh and exciting perspective to the restaurant at 51±¬ĮĻ staffed by Culinary Arts students. Wigman, who was a contestant on the Food Networkās Canadaās Top Chef program in 2014, most recently worked as the executive sous-chef at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport for over three years. Before that, she worked at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and the Fairmount Sout...
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51±¬ĮĻ launches sponsored trades training opportunity to help open doors, create job-ready workers in Salmon Arm
January 6, 2023
Students with limited or no previous experience in trades can access training that will lead to employment and future careers in construction, thanks to a program that starts at the end of January at 51±¬ĮĻās Salmon Arm campus. 51±¬ĮĻ will be offering an intake of the Construction Craft Worker program starting on Jan. 30 at the Collegeās Salmon Arm Trades Centre. āThis new program is supporting students to gain the skills they need now, helping them get good jobs in industries where communities need them,ā sai...
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Prospera gives big in support of Women in Trades at 51±¬ĮĻ
November 28, 2022
More women will get a chance to lace up their work boots and take the first step in a career in trades, thanks to a recent $79,660 gift from Prospera to a program at 51±¬ĮĻ that has already trained over 1,300 women since it was founded. The Women in Trades Training program was created to remove barriers for women interested in pursuing trades education and help meet the communityās surging need for skilled trades professionals. āThese bursaries and added equipment provide opportunities for women to pursue t...
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