Justice Institute of British Columbia brings EMR and Paramedic training to 51±¬ÁĎ’s Vernon campus
July 3, 2025
51±¬ÁĎ (OC) and the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) are excited to announce a new partnership that will bring JIBC’s paramedic and emergency medical responder (EMR) training to OC’s Vernon campus, joining other public safety, education and health care programs at the campus.The five-year agreement will see JIBC begin delivering its programs at OC this fall with approximately 600 students expected to take the training over the course of the agreement.“51±¬ÁĎ and the Justice Institute of British Columb...
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The right fit
June 30, 2025
Choosing the right post-secondary institution is an important decision in a student’s life — whether it’s for the first time or part of a lifelong learning journey. For Tianna Llewellyn, that choice led her from her hometown of Chetwynd, B.C., to the Salmon Arm campus of 51±¬ÁĎ, where she’s pursuing her Associate of Arts degree.“I wanted a place where I wouldn’t just be a number in a sea of students,” said Tianna. “51±¬ÁĎ offers smaller class sizes, delivering a more personalized experience. As a mature returning...
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Dozens of programs at 51±¬ÁĎ eligible for StrongerBC future skills grant
June 27, 2025
51±¬ÁĎ offers flexible, career-focused programs to set students up for success —and with the return of the StrongerBC future skills grant in 2025, learners have an additional incentive to take the next step in their learning. The grant, which was launched in 2023 by the Province of British Columbia, pays up to $3,500 of eligible short-term training at public post-secondary institutions, like 51±¬ÁĎ. It is available to B.C. residents aged 19 and over and can be applied to courses taught online, on camp...
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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±¬ÁĎ 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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Therapist Assistant students flex their skills with first-ever student led clinic at OC
June 23, 2025
Sometimes the best learning happens when things don’t go as planned and you’re forced to pivot, which is exactly what happened in the Therapist Assistant Diploma at OC this semester. Faced with the challenge of securing clinical placements for students in the program, Dr. Brett Wade, a Physiotherapist and OC instructor, didn’t miss a step. Drawing on an idea he had been considering for years, Wade launched the College’s first-ever student-led Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy clinic at the Kelowna campus. His goal wa...
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Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 20, 2025
National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on June 21 and coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is a time where many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities celebrate their culture, languages, and traditions. As we work towards Truth and Reconciliation and recognize that the learning and healing journey is ongoing, take time on this day to reflect and to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presenc...
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