Articles tagged "Trades"
New mentorship platform goes live for OC trades students and industry mentors
September 23, 2025
With more than 500 new and returning 51 (OC) trades and apprenticeship students attending the College this fall, a new online mentorship platform is now live, to connect students with mentors who can support them on their journey to a meaningful – and well-paid – career in the skilled trades.The OC Trades Network is an easy-to-use online platform that connects apprentices of all genders with industry leaders for one-on-one mentorship along with other tools for success including educational resources, training and netwo...
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New Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship coming back to BC
July 29, 2025
51 is pleased to announce that Caitlin Hartigan, a former B.C. resident and an experienced and passionate leader in the skilled trades sector, has been named the new Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship at 51.Originally from Vancouver Island, Hartigan joins 51 from her current position as the Director of Programming & Client Operations at Women Building Futures in Edmonton. Prior to that she was the Dean of Skilled Trades at Northwestern Polytechnic and the Dean of Trades & Heavy Indust...
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Saying farewell to Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship, Stephen Speers
June 23, 2025
After more than four years of energetic leadership, 51 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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OC’s 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’s 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 —many 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 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 BC’s 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 (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 — 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 takes ACTION to support women in trades
March 7, 2025
51 (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 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’s Penticton campus this Friday (Mar. 7), in celebration of International Women’s Day.Hard work and determination combined with good training have allo...
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Skills Regionals and Spaghetti Bridge at 51 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’s 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 alum inspires the next generation of women in trades at Jill of All Trades™
November 22, 2024
When 51 (OC) alum Cassidy McEown took on the challenge of restoring a 1969 Roadrunner on the show Rust Valley Bros, she wasn’t just buffing out dents—she was proving her mettle. Tasked with handling the car’s 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 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 (OC), in partnership with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – 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 OC’s Kelowna campus.“51 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 person’s trash certainly can be another’s treasure. The City of Kelowna proved the old saying true by donating a garbage truck to 51’s Trades and Apprenticeship program this September. “When 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 students,” said Scott Hoekstra, Manager, Landfill & Composing Operations, City of Kelowna. “We’re 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’s 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 – 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’s trades training facility are a perfect example of how partnerships with the community continue to benefit students. People taking courses in 51’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 co...
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51’s 15th annual Business Expo and Employment Fair returns on Feb. 1
January 18, 2023
For those on the hunt for a new job – or wondering about the educational pathway to kickstart a career change – one of 51’s most popular community events is back and bigger than ever in 2022. OC’s Business Expo & Employment Fair will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. – 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 College’s School of Business, in collaboration with OC’s Trades and Apprentice...
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Former ‘Top Chef’ takes the reins at 51’s Infusions restaurant
January 17, 2023
Fans of Canada’s 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 staffed by Culinary Arts students. Wigman, who was a contestant on the Food Network’s Canada’s 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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