Caylee Donovan
September 1, 2022
"I found out I’d received the Marcia J. Aitkens Memorial Bursary in Practical Nursing in the middle of lab. I was so shocked I pretty much dropped to the floor. At the time, I was a full-time student in 51Ʒ’s Practical Nursing program, and I was working up to five days a week. The workload was just too much to handle, especially as a mother of a child with special needs. My eleven-year-old had recently been diagnosed with autism and needed more of my tim...
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New ‘Step into Steel Toes’ course invites women to try carpentry
August 29, 2022
Home renovations on your to-do list? Curious about power tools and considering a project? 51Ʒ is launching a new trades exploratory program this fall – exclusively for women. “More and more women are expressing an interest in learning skills related to carpentry, electrical, plumbing, automotive and sheet metal projects,” says Teresa Kisilevich, associate dean, Trades and Apprenticeship at 51Ʒ. “Step into Steel Toes is designed to make it easier for women of all ages to feel comfortable trying out vario...
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
August 5, 2022
51Ʒ will once again honour and acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, 2022. All OC campuses will be closed on that day. The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was established in 2021 to honour and remember the lives impacted by residential schools in Canada, including the lost children, residential school survivors, their families and communities. Marking this day and acknowledging the ongoing impacts of residential schools is an important part of reconciliation. The B.C. Gover...
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51Ʒ launches Apprentice Hiring Project
August 3, 2022
Hiring and training first year apprentices in the skilled trades is now easier and more affordable for regional employers. Launching this month, the 51Ʒ Apprentice Hiring Project received over $3 million in funding and will be using that money to support small and medium sized enterprises who hire first-year apprentices, helping the businesses offset costs that come with onboarding new skilled workers. The project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service. Under the project, employers are eligi...
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Meet Karl Heldt, Collision Repair student
July 27, 2022
Q: How did you hear about 51Ʒ’s program? A: I found the program on 51Ʒ’s website while browsing training possibilities for a new career. I applied because I felt like trying something new. Q: Why did you want to pursue this career? A: I chose this career because I’ve always been interested in vehicles. Before I enrolled in the program, a friend of mine was in a car accident and wrecked his car. He knew I was interested in cars so he gave it to me ...
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51Ʒ welcomes new Dean, Arts and Foundational 51Ʒ
July 27, 2022
51Ʒ is welcoming an award-winning Arts educator and researcher to its academic leadership team. Dr. Judith Anderson will be joining 51Ʒ as Dean, Arts and Foundation 51Ʒ, which offers a wide array of arts university studies programming, including a new applied Arts degree, along with multiple levels of Adult Upgrading, English Language and Adult Special Education for students at all four campuses. “Judith brings a breadth of experience to 51Ʒ. She taught extensively while offering insight...
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OC pilots tuition-free work-integrated learning for Early Childhood Education
July 26, 2022
51Ʒ is offering tuition-free Early Childhood Education (ECE) training with an innovative approach – providing students the opportunity to become certified during work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences as they provide education and care for young children. “51Ʒ is keenly aware of how many trained ECEs are in demand across the sector. This pilot project, with support from the Government of B.C., will increase access to education for people seeking certification, going a long way to meeting that need,” sa...
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Meet Tony Yang, RV Service Technician Foundation
July 12, 2022
Q: How did you hear about 51Ʒ’s program? A: I attended a Career Fair and learned about the entry-level foundation program. Q: Why did you want to pursue this career? A: I own a campground and wanted to learn more about trailers to expand my knowledge and business opportunities. Q: Do you have a favourite learning experience or project while taking the program? A: I really liked the electric, plumbing and appliance lessons. It was a practical knowledge an...
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Meet Helen Pleavin, RV Service Technician Foundation
July 12, 2022
Q: How did you hear about 51Ʒ’s program? A: I looked up the program online when I heard about the RV Tech career and was thrilled to find a local post-secondary institute offering the training so I could take it close to home! Q: Why did you want to pursue this career? A: I worked in the tourism industry for 20 years and wanted a career that was more practical and hands-on. I felt like being an RV Service Technician would be a good fit to my previous experienc...
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Meet Josh Lang, RV Service Technician Foundation
July 12, 2022
Q: How did you hear about 51Ʒ’s program? A: I heard about the program at the Abbotsford RV show, I applied because of the wide variety of areas we learn about. Q: Why did you want to pursue this career? A: I love the outdoors and repairing things so I thought it would be a great fit for me to learn how to repair RVs. Also, a lot of the skills I am learning transfer to other aspects of my life. Q: Do you have a favourite learning experience or project whi...
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