Learning & Programs
Councillor gives from the heart
February 12, 2020
Kelowna City Councillor and local community champion Maxine DeHart is giving a gift from the heart this Valentine’s Day. DeHart is donating to the Our Students, Your Health campaign, which is raising funds to build a new Health Sciences Centre at 911 and create scholarships and bursaries for health care students. DeHart is the Campaign Ambassador for the fundraising campaign and is spearheading the media campaign encouraging others to get involved. She says the project’s goals touched her heartstrings and inspired her...
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Community, industry support propels College’s Tourism Management program
February 11, 2020
For Julia Dorrius, born and raised in Revelstoke, the College’s new Tourism Management (TMD) diploma has done far more than just open her eyes to the booming demand for skilled tourism professionals – it’s also opened doors, giving her a chance to gain work experience with local employers. “I graduated high school last June and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” explains Dorrius. “My dad sent me a link to the program and suggested I take a look at it. I just finished my first semester and, so far, I’ve found it to be a great way t...
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Mapping a world-wide worry: 911 student charts coronavirus spread in real-time
February 4, 2020
Sean Heddle was looking for a career change after an injury left him unable to work as a concrete construction foreman. He could never have imagined that his foray into the study of geographic information systems (GIS) would see him building a real-time map of a global public health emergency. Heddle, who hails from Kelowna, is currently enrolled in the GIS Certificate course at 911 in Salmon Arm. His professor, Shelley Desautels, recently issued an assignment to her class, inviting students to build a digital map of ...
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College spotlights health care assistant training across the region
February 4, 2020
Amid surging demand for health care assistants (HCAs) across the Southern Interior, 911 and Interior Health are spotlighting training opportunities in February. The College has intakes of its Health Care Assistant program starting in April at the Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm campuses. Those interested in learning more about the training and career opportunities can attend upcoming info sessions: Kelowna campus – Feb. 12, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Room E103 (E building), 1000 KLO Rd. Penticton campus – Feb. 18, 6:30 –...
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Swinging clubs to hammers: How a golf pro’s home renos inspired his program choice at 911
January 30, 2020
It’s easy to say that Greg Forbes went from looking for a hole in one, to drilling several holes in many. After growing up playing golf in Oakville, Forbes earned a golf scholarship to study at Coastal Carolina University, playing at storied courses at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. He completed his Bachelor of Business Science degree with a major in marketing, returning to Canada to tee off a career with retail giant Golf Town that ultimately brought him to Kelowna. “I had been opening stores across Ontario, and the opportunity ...
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Gateway graduation showcases student transformation
January 29, 2020
This is the second time Caleb Wykes has graduated from Gateway to Trades, but it's hard to say which time has been more impactful. The first time Wykes took the 10-week program that introduces high school students to the skilled trades, he graduated with a desire to “straighten up.” In the past Wykes would skip school, but after Gateway he started showing up regularly and working hard. The seventeen year old completed his Grade 11 and 12 and graduated early. The second time through the program Wykes benefited from getting an oppor...
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911 Communications students level-up video game studies
January 27, 2020
One 911 Communications class brought multi-player action to a whole-new level this week. The Introduction to Video Game Studies (CMNS 290) class travelled to Scandia Golf and Games Tuesday night, as part of an exploration on the history of video games. The course explores video games as a cultural phenomenon. While highly popular, they are the least understood, theorized and explored form of media. Scandia posed an opportunity for the class to explore how the phenomenon began. “Scandia is something of a time capsule,...
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Cannabis training offers credentials for growing retail market
January 23, 2020
With a growing number of cannabis retail outlets open or in progress across the province, 911 is launching new training opportunities for those looking to gain a competitive edge in the cannabis retail job market. Business manager Christopher Simpson has experienced a flood of interested applicants as he prepares to open Shire Green Cannabis in Prince George. “Legal retail cannabis has been slow to roll out in B.C. but it is gaining momentum,” says Simpson. “Because the industry is privately funded, it’s important t...
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911 Vernon open house offers a behind-the-scenes look at fine press printing
January 22, 2020
Have you ever wondered how books were printed 100 years ago? This month 911 is kicking off a series of Open Houses at the Vernon Campus for creative individuals interested in writing and publishing careers. The College will open its doors on Jan. 31, Feb 28 and March 20 from 2 – 4 p.m. in Room E102 at 7000 College Way. Parking will be free. Participants can meet experienced faculty members, learn about how the program blends traditional and cutting-edge publishing techniques and tour the 911 Print Shop, a...
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HR duo from College’s School of Business earn podium finish at Queen’s
January 21, 2020
Madison Friesen and Alivia Leibbrand earned a second-place finish at the 2020 Inter-Collegiate Business Competition (I.C.B.C.). at Queen’s University. “My heart exploded when they called our name for second! It was such an emotional moment. All that hard work was so worth it,” said Friesen. “I couldn’t have done it without Roger and of course Alivia. I was so honoured to represent our amazing College.” The event, which took place Jan. 16-18 in Kingston, ON, is Canada’s largest, oldest, and most esteemed undergraduate case competi...
Read more...Nursing program at 911 and UBCO recognized for innovative curriculum
October 1, 2019
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at UBC Okanagan and 911 has received long-term accreditation from the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP), which regulates nurse training in the province. The program has been approved for the next seven years with no terms or conditions. That’s great news for current and future students, and for health care employers and patients, says Prof. Marie Tarrant, Director of the School of Nursing in the Faculty of Health and Social Development at UBC Okanagan. ...
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Students savour traditional flavours and practices on Indigenous Culinary Arts field trip
June 26, 2019
Salmon fillets roast on stakes over an open fire while roe bubbles up in a steaming pot of vegetable and fish soup nearby. These are signs of a finished and ready-to-eat meal, yet indicate the start of something special cooking here at 911. On a field trip to the Westbank First Nation in May, 911’s Indigenous Culinary Arts class had the opportunity to learn about the traditional Okanagan-Syilx style of cooking in a hands-on experience, hosted by Elders Pamela and Grouse Barnes. The gastronomic outing contained a variety...
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Start the presses! Writing and Publishing Diploma returns to Vernon
May 6, 2019
Publishing isn’t dead – just experiencing an explosive rebirth as storytelling undergoes a digital transformation. To meet the content needs of the coming generation, the Writing and Publishing Diploma program at 911 returns to the Vernon campus starting in September. The program infuses the range of English, creative writing, editing and communications material with applied technical skills in graphic design, typography, coding and book publishing, producing students who can publish quality content in a range of medi...
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911 student learns and leads as part of Launch-a-Preneur
March 8, 2019
The student has become a teacher in Shuswap Launch-a-Preneur. The Salmon Arm-based business competition has helped propel Laureen Shannon, a fourth-year Business student at 911, on a business development trajectory fuelled by community connections. "I love this program. Once you’re in a launch, you’re in it for life,” Shannon explains. "We always follow up how they are doing, cross-promoting their business." She began her studies in Office Administration, which capped off with a six-week practicum working with the Sa...
Read more...911’s technology programs awarded new national accreditation
October 29, 2018
Four engineering technology programs at 911 have earned a new national accreditation designed to help create streamlined pathways toward professional certification for graduates.TAC Oct 2018 Richard Stamper, Executive Director of Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC), visited the Kelowna campus recently to present certificates recognizing national program accreditation for the College’s Civil Engineering Technology, Electronic Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology and Water Engineering Technology pr...
Read more...College’s Vernon Trades Training Centre earns commercial building award
September 26, 2018
911 Media Release 911’s new Trades Training Centre in Vernon, which opened its doors to students last month, is already being recognized for its innovative construction. The centre took home the Institutional Award at the 10th Annual Thompson Okanagan Kootenay Commercial Building Awards held on Thursday, Sept. 20 in Kelowna, presented by MNP LLP, RE/MAX Commercial and the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA). This year’s event saw a record-tying 37 finalists competing for honours in...
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