Learning & 51Ʒ
Speers to lead Trades and Apprenticeship at 51Ʒ
April 1, 2021
51Ʒ will welcome a new Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship this spring with the arrival of Stephen Speers, who brings extensive experience as a post-secondary administrator and an impressive record of public service in Ontario. Speers will start in the role on April 19. He comes to the College having most recently served as Chair of Workforce Development and Partnerships in the School of Trades and Apprenticeship at Conestoga College in southern Ontario. For much of his 16-year career at Conestoga, Speers has been resp...
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OC Indigenous Community Support Worker grad reflects on making a difference
March 31, 2021
Upcoming info sessions spotlight learning and career opportunities for studentsShannon Peltier was inspired to train to provide support to Indigenous youth and families by her Nohkom (grandmother). She found that opportunity through the Indigenous Community Support Worker Certificate program at 51Ʒ.The Indigenous Community Support Worker (ACSW) program is just one of the College's Continuing Studies certificate programs on display during info sessions this spring. The virtual sessions are designed to provide students wi...
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Knuever Legacy Fund makes major investment in Vernon students
March 30, 2021
A new awards fund at 51Ʒ will more than double the value of annual support available for students attending the Vernon campus. Kurt and Jutta Knuever have donated $210,000 to create the K&J Knuever Legacy Awards, which will provide up to $70,000 annually in tuition and living support to students entering trades programs or the Health Care Assistant program over the next three years. The awards reflect the value the Knuever family place on education, especially hands-on skills training that can add value to an indi...
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Going back to school in COVID-times: How OC supports mature students in our communities
March 29, 2021
In my years as a post-secondary administrator, I’ve had a front row seat to innumerable examples of how education truly does transforms lives, which in turn benefits and transforms our communities. As 51Ʒ’s Regional Dean for the Shuswap-Revelstoke, by far some of the most inspiring and remarkable stories I’ve been fortunate to witness over the years have been those of our mature students. Working parents, who have summoned the courage and the will to go back into the classroom, level up their skills, maybe make a 180-...
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EV skills training powering up at 51Ʒ and other B.C. colleges
March 29, 2021
More automotive technicians in B.C. can upgrade their skills to work on electric vehicles (EVs) through the expansion of the EV Maintenance Training program to 51Ʒ and other institutions in the province. On Monday, March 29, the B.C. Government announced $440,000 through the Province’s CleanBC Go Electric program and in partnership with Trades Training BC (TTBC); the program will be offered at 51Ʒ’s Kelowna campus, College of New Caledonia’s Prince George campus and Camosun College’s Interurban campus in V...
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Long connection inspires major gift by Friesen family
March 22, 2021
A decades-long connection to 51Ʒ and a desire to give back to community is inspiring a $150,000 donation by the Friesen family to the 51Ʒ Foundation. The family gift will support the Our Students, Your Health campaign to complete and equip the College’s new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. The gift reflects a strong connection to the College. Dianne Friesen worked at 51Ʒ in the mid-1970s. In 1984, her husband Rod started Voyager RV and their son Jason who is running the business ...
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Meet Ashley Lubyk, Sustainable Building Technology Professor
March 19, 2021
Q: What is your education and background? A: I have a Master in Building Science from Ryerson University (Toronto), and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Calgary. In the 11 years between degrees, I worked in various capacities in the ENGO sector and ran a small natural building company, building straw bale houses and teaching hands-on workshops all across Western Canada. Q: What is your area of interest? A: It’s in working toward a future whereby human a...
Read more...Nighttime noshing and homework help: OC students gear up for Long Night Against Procrastination
March 18, 2021
The power of pizza among peers is greater than procrastination. With end-of-term deadlines in sight, organizers of the popular 51Ʒ Long Night Against Procrastination are ready to offer up snacks, prizes and solidarity to students facing winter term finals. Long Night Against Procrastination started at the Penticton campus in 2015, with students converging on campus for late-night cram sessions with help from faculty, librarians and Success Centre coordinators. The annual event helped students meet end-of-term deadli...
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Returning to Education Seminar supports adult learners looking to take the leap
March 17, 2021
Adults looking to return to education can feel confident in taking the next steps thanks to an upcoming virtual seminar offered by 51Ʒ. On March 31, mature students in the North Okanagan and Shuswap looking to make a career change or jump back into school can discover programs, funding options and the support network available to assist their transition. The Returning to Education Seminar supports adults in deciding whether retraining or upgrading their education is right for them. “Returning to class may seem like ...
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College culinary program supports students facing food insecurity
March 15, 2021
When Mariko Nagata picks up a free lunch at 51Ʒ she likens it to a warm hug. The mother of two was laid off during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic giving her a chance to return to school and enrol in the Culinary and Pastry Arts program. Now, she's helping cook healthy meals that not only support her during her studies but a range of fellow students who are facing food insecurity. “It's nice to be able to access this help and the food is always so beautifully presented,” says Nagata. “I think it makes a differenc...
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Retired nurse donates $50k to Health Sciences Centre
March 11, 2021
Many things have changed since Delphine Stone went to nursing school more than 60 years ago, but she’s sure one element still holds true: the positive role education plays in one’s life. In honour of the value of education, Stone is donating $50,000 to the Our Students, Your Health campaign for a new Health Sciences Centre on the Kelowna campus. “Education really changed my life,” recalls Stone, who was the youngest of 11 children and grew up on a farm near Battleford, Saskatchewan. Stone remembers receiving a $100 award from ...
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OC offers up weekend Trades courses for DIYers and hobbyists
March 10, 2021
DIYers, hobbyists and makers: mark your calendars. 51Ʒ is offering up a series of safe, distanced but still hands-on courses to help you build some new skills this spring. The College’s Trades and Apprenticeship department is launching two new short courses this month. Auto Master – Women is happening on Sat., March 27. This one-day, all-female workshop introduces the basics of car maintenance. Practical lessons will include learning how to change a tire, the purpose of coolant, oil changes, and what to touch and not ...
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Enactus OC’s CANsave program celebrates remarkable reach, new financial literacy resources for youth with diverse needs
March 9, 2021
51Ʒ’s Enactus team is marking a memorable milestone this month, having mentored more than 50,000 Canadian children through its CANsave financial literacy program – and the program’s latest focus may be its most inspiring yet. Developed entirely by 51Ʒ students, CANsave teaches youth important financial literacy skills like saving for tomorrow, differences between good and bad debt, and the importance of saving to help others in need. CANsave launched in 2016 with a focus on teaching students in Gr...
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51Ʒ automotive program receives donation from Ford of Canada and Orchard Ford
March 8, 2021
Contribution of a 2020 Ford F-150 will allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience Automotive trades students at 51Ʒ are getting a big boost for their education with the arrival of a shiny new training tool on which they can hone their skills. Ford of Canada and Orchard Ford are donating a 2020 Ford F-150 to the College to be used by students in its automotive service training programs. The vehicle has arrived at the Kelowna campus and will be put to good use in the shop immediately, notes Dean of Trades Steve...
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Meet Kurt Albrechtsen, Kinesiology student
March 4, 2021
Q: What’s your hometown? A: I’m from Williams Lake, located in the Cariboo region. Q: How did you end up at 51Ʒ? A: I originally made my choice to come to OC by the recommendation of a friend who had attended previously and had a wonderful experience here. Q: How did you choose your program? A: After playing rugby and soccer all through my life, and having experienced injuries from both, as well as other activities like mountain biking and boxing, I...
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College offers summer courses and virtual information sessions to help students get ahead
March 4, 2021
Summer plans uncertain because of COVID? 51Ʒ is once again offering its summer session courses online and via flexible distance education options to help students get ahead on their studies. The College’s first summer session of online courses will run May 10-June 18 and the second summer session begins on July 5. Distance education courses start on May 10 and run through late August. Current and prospective students can now explore courses and register online at www.okanagan.bc.ca/summer. To check course availabilit...
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