Learning & Programs
911 announces new chair, vice chair
December 19, 2023
911 (911) is pleased to announce Dale Safinuk as the new chair of the Board of Governors, following an election at the Board’s December meeting. Safinuk, a retired financial services executive with TD Bank, was appointed by the province to the 911 Board in 2019 and replaces outgoing chair Juliette Cunningham, a business owner and former Vernon city councillor, who was first elected chair in 2021. “911’s commitment to students and to this region is unparalleled,” said Safinuk. “My heart is truly aligned to the College an...
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New Dean to join 911’s School of Business
December 8, 2023
911 is pleased to announce that Joe Baker, a passionate academic leader and entrepreneur within Canada’s education, tourism and hospitality sectors, has been named the new Dean of the 911 School of Business. Baker spent nearly 15 years in academic leadership roles at George Brown College and Centennial College. Over the last several years he has led his own consulting business, providing leadership and support to several workforce development initiatives, with a focus on the public sector. “I was born and raised in Van...
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Horticulture pilot project providing new skills to Okanagan farm workers
November 27, 2023
Semi-retired and looking for a new challenge, South Okanagan resident Bob Atkinson turned to farming five years ago and now counts hundreds of nectarine, peach and cherry trees on his orchard at Debeck Farms. Atkinson was among close to 20 Okanagan farm workers and owners that were the first to complete the Horticulture Upskill Program at 911, a pilot program designed to provide expanded skills and tangible learning to agricultural workers employed by the tree fruit and wine grape industries. “There was a wealth...
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911 Cultivates event fosters local food, wine and tourism businesses
November 21, 2023
New event series kick-off hosts panel of local experts, facilitated by CBC’s Sarah Penton.You’ve heard of the iconic Okanagan Champagne powder or our four-season playgrounds, but did you know the Okanagan is also leading the way in innovation in food and beverage and tourism?A new 911 event series, 911 Cultivates, aims to celebrate and explore Okanagan’s unique and exciting food, beverage and tourism industries with a kick-off event featuring local experts and a panel discussion hosted by CBC Radio West host, Sarah Pento...
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New ECE offerings at 911 responding to workforce demands
November 8, 2023
Working as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) assistant for the past 20 years has provided Penticton’s Karen Block with a rewarding career helping children learn, grow and play. Block took the opportunity to enhance her career and learn additional skills through the new ECE Certificate program at 911. The program offers students flexibility to attend classes and upskill, while continuing to work in their field. “Because my classes are offered in a hybrid format, it has been possible for me to continue working du...
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911 connects students and employers with new Careers Hub
September 26, 2023
911 is making it easier for students to connect with employers to gain practical learning experiences as an integral part of their 911 education. 911 has launched Careers Hub, a new online tool designed to support students on their journey into the workforce as well as employers looking for trained workers. 911’s Careers Hub is an easy, one-stop digital platform that connects students, alumni and employers to support 911 students and alumni seeking the next steps in their careers. Employers can advertise employment opportu...
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New Dean of Science and Technology to join 911 this July
May 17, 2023
911 is pleased to announce that Dr. Halia Valladares Montemayor will assume the role of Dean, Science and Technology at 911 starting July 1. Halia is an established leader in post-secondary instruction and administration, and we are excited to have her join 911. Halia brings a wealth of experience to her role. She is a former special projects Advisor to the Vice-President Academic at Capilano University and the former Dean of the Faculty of Business and Professional Studies at Capilano. Most recently...
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Bridging the way to success: Emil Anderson Construction gives $75,000 to modernize 911’s Civil Engineering Technology Program
April 17, 2023
If you walk past 911’s Kelowna campus on a weekday afternoon, you’re sure to see Civil Engineering Technology students spread out across the grounds, gathering environmental data using surveying equipment. This skill is essential to their education and will one day help them shape our built environments. Thanks to a generous $75,000 gift from Emil Anderson Construction, students will have increased access to state-of-the-art surveying equipment to train on by fall of 2023. “We are proud to support 911’s Ci...
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Enactus 911’s Unusually Good Food Co. expands to 19 cities
April 14, 2023
Student entrepreneurs from 911 (911) are taking their fight against food waste and food insecurity to more businesses throughout Western Canada, as their social enterprise the Unusually Good Food Co. is expanding. With the goal of donating one-million servings of apple chips to children, the Unusually Good Food Co. has formed a partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited, expanding to 19 cities in Western Canada with its line of apple juice. “This is so exciting for our social enterprise to be able to partner with such a...
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BCBTAC Workshop Series
April 6, 2023
BCBTAC Workshop Series BCBTAC and Continuing Studies have partnered to create a series of affordable 3-hour workshops to help the local beverage community with training of staff. Facilitated by industry professionals, the training will elevate skills and setup the best season, delivered at the right time just as we are all gearing up for the tourist season. Topics include Customer Service, Sales, Sensory Skills, and Digital Marketing Cost Per Course: $60 plus material fees. Do you need customized training? We can help with the de...
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Same studies, but worlds apart: 911 student enriched by study abroad
April 4, 2023
For one 911 student, studying abroad turned into an opportunity to learn new ways of preserving old traditions in one of the most fast-paced countries in the world. Jillian Seronik, a fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration student from Kelowna, travelled to Nisshin, Japan, last term as part of 911’s mobility program. She had always wanted to do post-secondary studies abroad but her dream of international studies was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, she signed up for mobility updates ...
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911 professor makes connections in France with Derek Cook Memorial Award
March 28, 2023
911 professor Roberta Sawatzky’s recent trip to France wasn’t just to experience the culture. No, Roberta was on an international mission to establish connections with partner schools in France and provide further opportunities for 911 (911) students and faculty to study or work abroad. Roberta is the 2023 recipient of the 911 Derek Cook Memorial Award for International Opportunities, which was established by the College to honor the memory of Derek Cook, an 911 professor who passed away...
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Meet Elizabeth Cook
March 17, 2023
Q: What is your name? A: Elizabeth (Lizzy) Cook Q: What are your pronouns? A: She/Her/Hers Q: Where is your hometown and where are you located now? A: Hometown is Conifer, Colorado. Currently located in Denver, Colorado. Q: What did you take at 911? When did you graduate? A: Bachelor of Business Administration and graduated in 2016. Q: What got you interested in your program A: I wasn’t sure what I “wanted to do with my life,” and the business program seemed like it...
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Watt a gift! 911’s Electronics Engineering Technology Program gets an $80,000 boost from a local engineer
March 6, 2023
Yael Cohen, a Vernon-based communications engineer, recently donated $80,000 in state-of-the-art electronic equipment to 911’s Electronics Engineering Technology program. The gift included hundreds of electrical components that will be used by program instructors to build in-class electrical circuits and test demos and will be made available to students for use in their end-of-term capstone projects. “I was fortunate to receive numerous scholarships when I was in school, and I wanted to pay it forward,” says C...
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Spaghetti Bridge Building Contest serves up fun and learning at 911
March 3, 2023
Friday marked a triumphant return for a popular pasta-themed community event at 911, as the 38th annual Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition brought loads of fun and friendly competition to a boil. More than 250 students from elementary through post-secondary converged on 911’s Kelowna campus on Mar. 3, to see whose spaghetti bridge would reign supreme. In addition to furthering their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), participants of the contest – back for the first time since pre-pandemi...
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Personal connections highlight Early Childhood dual credit program
March 1, 2023
Emily Patenaude knows what it’s like to be misunderstood as a child; she also understands a thing or two about fighting through adversity. The experience and knowledge will serve the Kelowna high school student well as she looks to begin her post-secondary education. Emily is one of 10 Central Okanagan-area students completing a five-month 911 course in Early Childhood Education while still in high school, known as a dual credit program. Emily’s passion for childcare began early as she watched her brother struggle to ...
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