Okanagan College News

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Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Student surge pushes College growth close to 20 per cent Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release Okanagan College campuses are bracing for another year of record enrolments as early registrations point to a double-digit increase in student numbers. “We’re seeing a 19 per cent year-to-date increase in registrations,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “The pattern that has seen us grow more than 65 per cent in the last five years looks to be accelerating.” And the rush isn’t over yet for this fall – students can still apply and register in many programs at each of the College’s four campuses until Sept. 17. This year’s surge in student numbers will stretch the College’s lengthening record of exceptional growth, notes Hamilton. “Last year, we educated more than 8,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) students, including more than 420 international student FTEs. More than 20,000 people took courses and programs with us. “We’re now the largest college east of the Lower Mainland and the second largest trades training institution in British Columbia. We are bigger than Okanagan University College was when it split in 2005 to become Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan.” For each of the five years since that transition, Okanagan College has outperformed provincial government targets for student spaces. Most important, says Hamilton, is that the growth means the College is providing much-needed education and training opportunities for the area’s citizens. “We’ve offered a growing range of programs throughout the region.” So far, Okanagan College has registered 745 more students than it did last year at this point in the registration cycle. Hamilton warns against putting too much stock in campus-specific numbers at this point because of differing registration patterns. Vernon, for instance, shows just a two per cent increase year-to-date over last year, but the snapshot of registrations was taken last Friday – before Vernon started registering students in one of the big program areas. “You’ll probably see those numbers change the whole picture at Vernon,” he explains. And at other campuses, where students in some programs were registered a week earlier than last year, there are whopping increases – as much as 53 per cent in Penticton and 61 per cent in Salmon Arm. Kelowna, with similar registration patterns to last year, showed 17 per cent. “That’s the reason we really focus on the mid-September stable enrolment date as our reference point,” explains Okanagan College Registrar Jane Muskens. “But it is clear from the early numbers and the level of activity that it will be another year of significant growth.” Okanagan College serves an area that stretches from Revelstoke to the U.S. border. New programs being introduced at Okanagan College include: Studio Woodworking Certificate, Advanced Communications Certificate, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Domestic/Commercial Gasfitter Apprenticeship, and Domestic/Residential Certified Geothermal Technician Apprenticeship.
Friday, August 27, 2010 Okanagan College filmmaker plucks Grade A rating at film fest Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release   2010 is starting to look like a bumper crop year for Okanagan College communications instructor Marc Arellano and his documentary Strange Fruit: A Changing Landscape in the Central Okanagan.   Congratulations have been pouring in since Arellano’s documentary on the local orchard industry picked up “Best Home Grown Award” at the recent Okanagan International Film Festival.   “It was pretty overwhelming, to say the least, to receive the OIFF award because it spans all genres of locally produced films,” said Arellano.   “I am so pleased that our judges rated Strange Fruit highly,” said Jason Woodford, president of the Okanagan Film Festival Society, which produces the annual festival. “It is a very worthy documentary and I look forward to seeing where he takes it next.”   It looks like the next stop will be Toronto this October. The Planet in Focus Film Festival has plucked Strange Fruit for its line-up.  “They had heard about it somehow, and even though their program was already set, they asked me to send them some screeners. Once they saw it, they made room for it in their festival,” explained Arellano.    The Planet in Focus Film Festival, now in its 11th year, is the longest running environmental festival of its kind in the country. In 2009, the festival featured more than 85 environmentally-focused films from 25 countries.    Arellano said he’s seen a growing interest in local food security issues, with various groups and organizations contacting him about screening his film to launch a discussion, and even take action.   “I think what’s happening is that we’re building a wave of people who are recognizing how expensive it is to maintain our local food production. Food is now being used for commodity pricing and the industry is no longer looking after the interest of everyday folk. People who want to simply feed their family, are being left out in the cold.”    Arellano said it was a huge honour to be able to put his film before the board at the Okanagan International Film Festival.   “People are starting to see what an incredible festival this is, and how it’s giving new filmmakers another voice in Canada.”    Arellano’s Home Grown Award was one of many handed out at the festival.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 8th Annual George Ryga Award Shortlist Announced Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release There’s no shortage of talented writers who are grappling with the social issues of the day, as the judges for the eighth annual George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in B.C. writing and publishing have learned. The George Ryga Centre, BC BookWorld, CBC Radio One and Okanagan College have announced the shortlist for this year’s George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in BC writing and publishing. In alphabetical order (writer’s last name), the top three books submitted for the award are: God Of Missed Connections, by Elizabeth Bachinsky (Nightwood Editions), A Thousand Dreams, by Larry Campbell, Neil Boyd & Lori Culbert (Greystone), and Where The Blood Mixes, by Kevin Loring (Talonbooks). “Once again, we received a large field of well-written submissions this year,” observed Okanagan College’s John Lent, who is among the readers assessing the submissions. The other readers are Reg Kienast, Jane Maskell, Ken Smedley and Liz Wallberg. “It’s maybe a sign of these times that this award draws such strength from the writing community, so many strong responses. If anyone ever thought writers weren’t engaging in the issues of our times, the books submitted for this award would convince them otherwise. In the end, these three books – a piece of non-fiction, a book of poems and a play – were the books that kept insisting themselves forward.” This year’s Ryga Award’s final judge will be distinguished poet, play-write and journalist, Greg Simison, of Moose Jaw. Simison has published three books of poetry, the last called What The Wound Remembers, hundreds of newspaper columns, and his work has appeared in numerous North American literary journals and periodicals. Currently, Simison has just completed another volume of poetry and a volume of humorous columns from his career as a journalist. This year’s winner will be announced in the Centre Stage Theatre in Summerland at a gala celebration of The Ryga Award at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, the last day of George Ryga Week. Summerland is the home of The George Ryga House and Centre and is where Ryga wrote most of his plays and novels. Excerpts from Bachinsky, Campbell and Loring’s works will be broadcast on CBC Radio One before the final winner is announced. Last year’s winner was Steven Galloway for his novel The Cellist of Sarajevo.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Four colleges partner to advance sustainable building agenda Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release Four of Canada’s prominent colleges are joining forces to bolster the country’s training and innovation in sustainable building technologies and renewable energy. Ontario’s Durham College, Alberta’s Lethbridge College, Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and British Columbia’s Okanagan College recently signed an agreement linking the institutions’ training and projects that are related to sustainable buildings and renewable energy. Under the agreement, they will work together to plan and co-ordinate program development, applied innovation projects and connections with industry and various federal and provincial agencies. “This is a great example of co-operation among colleges across Canada which are committed to education and innovation vital to sustainability,” says James Knight, President of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. “Each college is already demonstrating leadership in its region and province. Co-operating nationally with industry and other partners will add more value to their efforts." The agreement was born when college executives realized that an ad hoc consortium was developing as the individual institutions shared successes, approaches, and ideas with each other as they were developing programs and facilities. “We’re working closely together with each other and with industry in this area,” explains Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “In many instances, we’re at the leading edge of new sustainable facilities and want to ensure everyone benefits from what the others are learning – and teaching.” “A strategic partnership of this calibre is not only beneficial to the sustainability initiatives of our institutes, but to all our students across Canada,” says Tracy Edwards, Lethbridge College CEO and president. “We’re working towards having a nation of socially responsible citizens and couldn’t be more excited at the possibilities.” “Durham College is committed to a vision that will see new opportunities for students in areas that are critical to the local, provincial and national economies with renewable and sustainable energy established as a clear priority,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “This partnership will provide an excellent platform for us to share our commitment to these sectors with other like-minded institutions and will allow us to work together on joint curriculum, new transfer opportunities, knowledge sharing and more.” “At NSCC we value innovative ideas and actions that engage our students and our communities,” says Don Bureaux, NSCC Acting President. “We are committed to the development of advanced skills training and applied research that create sustainable building and energy solutions; a commitment that is strengthened through partnerships with respected institutions that share our passion.” Background: Okanagan College’s role in advancing sustainable building technologies is exemplified through two projects currently underway involving the institution. The first is the $28-million Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation in Penticton, British Columbia, while the other is the internationally-focused Resource Positive Architecture Project, which draws on $500,000 funding from the Federal government and matching amounts from Okanagan College and its partners, and forms part of Canada’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent by 2020 from 2005 levels. The Centre of Excellence is a leading-edge sustainable building project that will be a net-zero energy consumer and which incorporates a host of innovative and sustainable design and material elements. The project is registered as part of the Living Building Challenge, which is the most advanced measure of sustainability in the building environment. The Resource Positive Architecture project is a joint partnership between Okanagan College and the Okanagan Science & Technology Council but includes architects, engineers, universities and colleges from around the world. It builds on existing domestic and international agreements between all Asia-Pacific Partnership countries to share research on green building envelope design (including walls, roofs and foundations). For more information about the Centre of Excellence visit: www.okanagan.bc.ca/centreofexcellence. For more information about the Resource Positive Architecture project visit: http://resourcepositive.com.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 Vernon Woman Picks up a Hammer at Okanagan College and Nails Down Her Future Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release A 20-year-old Vernon woman is making concrete decision about her future, thanks to enrolment last year in Okanagan College’s innovative Gateway to the Building Trades for Women program. The 300-hour program, which gets underway this year on Sept. 20^th, inspired Krystle Babott to enter carpentry this year at Okanagan College where she will be nailing down her future prospects with more hands-on training and practical experience in the construction field, including working with concrete. “As carpenters in B.C. we do framing, we do roofing, and concrete, so that means I’m going to be learning how to make concrete stairs,” says Babott. This time last year Babott had no idea whether a career in trades was for her, but she was willing to take the plunge after her mom spied an ad in the local paper. When she learned tuition fees and even the tools themselves would be covered, she couldn’t resist. “I never would have been able to do this program if it hadn’t been for that. I didn’t have any money saved at all,” she said. Within months Babott, who previously spent time working up north putting together pre-fabricated buildings, got her hands dirty tackling skills as varied as plumbing, carpentry, and installing electrical boxes. “We got to build a model house, a shed, complete with outlets and everything. It’s encouraging. It feels good to know you’re a woman and can still do things like that,” she says. By the end of the program, Babott was hooked, and ready to nail down a career in carpentry. This fall, she’s enrolled in her second year of the Women In Trades program. Babott represents exactly what the Gateway program is all about – a chance to whet students’ appetites with experience of a variety of trades, before they decide to officially hone their trade skills with a certification program. It’s a formula that’s working. John Haller, Okanagan College’s Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship, says nearly 200 women have taken part since the program’s launch in March 2009. “Women continue to be under-represented in the trades according to the labour market analysis. The Gateway program gives them a chance to try out seven to eight trades and go from there,” he says. Funded through the Industry Training Authority with assistance from the federal government, the program has become a great success, says project manager Nancy Darling, especially for its target group: underemployed and unemployed women. “They may be women who have been out of the workforce for a couple of years, older workers, or even workers who were laid off in related fields,” Darling says. And when it comes time to finding that job, there’s help there too. The United Food and Commercial Workers have come on board to assist with the job search process, as has the B.C. Construction Association, and women themselves. “We now have a cluster of mentors for the women – ladies working in the trades who have agreed to help these women navigate the waters once they’re ready to enter the job market.” “It’s so inspiring to see women who may be nervous or have low confidence and within a matter of months they’re totally confident and have a developed skill set that they can then use to build a better life for themselves and their family,” says Haller. Interested women can learn more about this innovative program at the Women In Trades Information Session, which takes place Monday, August 23 from 5:30-7 pm in room D314 at the Kalamalka campus in Vernon. The program covers a wide-range of trades including, but not limited to, carpentry and joinery, electrical, plumbing, drywall/painting, insulating/vapour barrier, roofing/flooring and automotive. There’s still time to enrol in the 10-week long (300-hours) fall session, which gets underway Sept. 20^th at the Vernon Trades Centre. Eligible students include women who are unemployed and/or underemployed adults and not currently receiving Employment Insurance benefits (EI).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Manning and Nahal join College Board Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release There will be two new faces at the Okanagan College Board of Governors table when it convenes again this fall. The B.C. Government has appointed Doug Manning and Dr. Sunddip Nahal to the Board for one-year terms, commencing July 31. Manning is an educational consultant and is the former CEO, president and director of Bridges.com, North America’s leading provider of career and educational planning solutions. He’s also the current Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Okanagan College. Nahal is a teacher with School District 83 in Salmon Arm and an educational consultant. She’s also the co-founder of ilearn BC School Society and has a Doctor of Education degree in leadership and administration from the University of Phoenix. “I am really honored to be appointed as a board member for Okanagan College,” said Nahal. “I look forward to taking my educational experiences and serving the board with my continued passion for change in education and being involved in the interesting changes and innovative practices of the college.” "Okanagan College has shown great growth over the past five years,” said Manning. “I am looking forward to working with the Board to continue development that benefits the students and employers in our community." “Both Doug and Sunddip have significant experience in education and serving students. We’re looking forward to the contributions and perspectives that Doug and Sunddip can bring to our Board,” said Lance Kayfish, Chair of the Okanagan College Board of Governors. “The Board will have an important role to play as we continue our pattern of success and continue to move the College forward with projects such as the Centre of Excellence in Penticton.” Okanagan College now serves approximately 60 per cent more full-time equivalent students (8,095) in 2009-10 than in 2005-06. More than 20,000 individuals received education or training at Okanagan College in 2009-2010. Manning’s and Nahal’s appointments come as board members Paul Johnson and Jane Lister complete their terms on the Board. Both were appointed in November, 2005. Kayfish and William Cooke were both reappointed by the government for three-year terms. Other Okanagan College Board members are Phillippe Bourbeau, Michael Conlin, Rick Gee, Brian Hughes, Andrew Nelson, Yvonne Pinder, Lianne Rozniak, Tom Styffe, Jim Hamilton and Loretta Swite.
Thursday, July 15, 2010 New advanced certificate program at College aims to get the message across Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release Okanagan College will offer a new program this fall to address a growing demand by employers and professionals for enhanced communication skills. Starting in September, the Advanced Certificate in Communication will help students develop professional writing and public relations skills, and offer education in management communication, writing for marketing, and visual communication. An information night will be held at 7 p.m. July 27 at Okanagan College’s Kelowna Campus, (Rm. E202 in the Centre for Learning) to explain the program and address questions that prospective students might have. “This will interest people who already have post-secondary credentials and who can appreciate the need to develop further communication skills to advance their careers or meet employer needs,” explains Sharon Josephson, Chair of Okanagan College’s Communications department. “At a time when our world is caught up in an ever-increasing number of communication channels and challenges, it’s important to build the skills to communicate through the clutter.” “It’s not enough to know the message you want to communicate, you need to know how to express it succinctly, effectively, and directly to the audiences who need to hear it.” Admission requirements for the Advanced Certificate in Communication program include having completed 60 credits of post-secondary study in arts, science, business or engineering technology. (60 credits is equivalent to two years university education.) “Really, this is aimed at people with degrees, associate degrees, and most college diplomas,” explains Josephson. “A qualified student could complete the requirements for the credential in less than a year of study, but the program really caters to people whose careers or lives lend themselves better to part-time studies. And those students who already have credits in first-year Communications or English can apply some of those credits toward the Advanced Certificate.” Six courses—18 credits—are required for graduation. “If they have the right credits in English or Communications, they may only have to take four courses to complete the Advanced Certificate,” says Josephson. Those interested in the Advanced Certificate can find out more by visiting www.okanagan.bc.ca/acc.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 West Kelowna student finds support from Thorpe & Friends Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release West Kelowna resident Danielle Hofer will have help pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration degree at Okanagan College this fall, thanks to the generosity of former MLA Rick Thorpe and his wife Yasmin John-Thorpe. Hofer is the 2010 recipient of the Rick and Yasmin Thorpe and Friends Scholarship. The Mount Boucherie graduate was selected for the scholarship based on her academic standing, educational pursuits and outstanding community contributions. The $2,500 scholarship was established to support students from the west side of Okanagan Lake, from Penticton to Killiney Beach, who enrol at Okanagan College in a range of studies including: business, viticulture, agriculture, engineering, tourism, trades, technologies, English or creative writing. Hofer will attend Okanagan College this fall to study business. The Okanagan School of Business was especially appealing to Hofer because of the opportunities for students to work closely with community and in student organizations such as Students in Free Enterprise. “I am very interested in social entrepreneurship and I know there are great opportunities to specialize in this field at Okanagan College,” said Hofer. “My ultimate goal would be to one day work for the Canadian Red Cross and use my business training to implement programs, systems and support for health care and education around the world.” Hofer has already gained experience working abroad. She, along with classmates from Mount Boucherie, worked on a campaign to raise funds for a village in Kenya to provide better access to potable water, medical services and education. The 18-year-old traveled to Kenya this year to provide feet on the ground for the project. “I am really very grateful to be receiving this scholarship,” said Hofer. “I plan on doing great things with my education and am thankful that Rick and Yasmin Thorpe see the potential in me.”
Monday, July 05, 2010 FortisBC contribution energizes Centre of Excellence fundraising campaign Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release FortisBC is supporting the establishment of Penticton’s new Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation with a $50,000 donation to create dedicated classroom space for students entering the technologically challenging electrical apprenticeship program. FortisBC Inc., a Canadian-owned electric utility with 14 field offices throughout the Southern Interior, has a longstanding relationship with Okanagan College since 1992. John Walker, President and CEO of FortisBC and Terasen Gas Inc., made the announcement in Kelowna this morning in front of dozens of electrical apprentice students. Over the years, the company has helped the Kelowna campus save more than 1.3 megawatts, or 5,808,839 kwh of energy — enough to power nearly 450 homes for a year. They’ve also provided more than $600,000 in energy efficiency rebates. “We are proud to support Okanagan College in creating a sustainable building technologies and renewable energy conservation campus,” said Walker. “Our community investment strategy supports projects that promote electrical trades, literacy, leadership and safety.” The company’s pledge of $50,000 establishes the FortisBC Electrical Apprenticeship Classroom. “FortisBC is the latest of a host of organizations that have recognized the value in supporting the Centre of Excellence,” said Steve Tuck, president of the Okanagan College Foundation. “We have bee fortunate to partner with FortisBC in the past and this new development is a very real indication of their commitment to this region and its future.” FortisBC’s contribution has helped push the Okanagan College Foundation’s fundraising campaign for the Centre of Excellence over the $1.52 million mark. The Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation is playing a pivotal role in shifting the perspective of Canada’s construction community, demonstrating that going “deep green” on an institutional project doesn’t mean having to pay a premium. The Centre is being built with the investment of $22.5-million from both federal and provincial governments, along with a further $5-million from the Okanagan College Foundation and donors such as FortisBC.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 CHBA South Okanagan invests in the future Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release The Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the South Okanagan understands the importance of investing in the future. That’s why the group recently announced a $10,000 donation to Okanagan College’s Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation along with an annual $3,000 contribution to fund awards for students enrolled in Residential Construction programs at the Penticton campus. “Our board and members view this contribution to Okanagan College and its Centre of Excellence as an important investment in the future of our youth and of this region,” said Doug Carnegie, Treasurer of the CHBA South Okanagan and Commercial Account Manager for Valley First. “Investing in students and in the construction of the Centre of Excellence will deliver a large payback to our local economy. “We will all benefit from this large expansion of Okanagan College. The Penticton campus will be able to offer a wide range of courses in Arts & Sciences, Health, Business and specialized trades. In addition to making education more affordable there will be more employment opportunities.” With a strong focus on environmental sustainability and innovation in construction, the Centre of Excellence project aligns well with the value and goals of the CHBA South Okanagan, said Carnegie. The CHBA’s Built Green program is also aimed at reducing the building trades’ environmental impact. Carnegie points to new innovative trades training programs, such as the College’s new geothermal technician, as another way the College is addressing industry change and progress. “We recognize the value of the support and strong partnership we have built with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of the South Okanagan,” explained Kathy Butler, Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation. “Their recent contributions will have an impact on the success of the Centre of Excellence and will be felt on a very personal level by the students who will receive the new CHBA South Okanagan Bursary.” Students who are residents of the South Okanagan and Similkameen and are enrolled on a full-time basis at the Penticton campus in either the Residential Construction or Carpentry Level One apprenticeship programs will be eligible to apply for the bursary. The recipient will be determined based on a combination of academic achievement and financial need and the bursary may be split to assist more than one student per year. “Our members are always looking for well-trained employees and we are aware that not every student is able to meet the financial challenges that come along with post-secondary training,” explained Carnegie. “It is our hope that the CHBA South Okanagan Bursary will assist students in achieving their goals and will further develop the strength of our work force and skilled tradespeople.” The Centre of Excellence is being built with the investment of $22.5-million from both federal and provincial governments, along with a further $5-million from the Okanagan College Foundation and donors such as CHBA South Okanagan.
Friday, June 18, 2010 GM Canada revs up program with donation Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release A donation of a dozen prototype engines by GM Canada is helping ensure that Okanagan College’s auto service technician program fires on all cylinders. The donation – 12 non-saleable 5.3-litre V8 engines – was unveiled this month at the College’s Kelowna trades training facility. “We believe this to be an important investment in future auto service technicians,” said Tom Odell, Technology Planning Manager for GM Canada. “Giving students the opportunity to research and understand current engine technology using a hands-on approach clearly provides a rich learning opportunity.” The engines will be used by second-year apprentices at the College, explained John Haller, Okanagan College’s Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship. “We rely extensively on industry support of our programs, and GM Canada has been a leader on that front. Their donations of cars, engines and other materials have helped our apprentices and entry-level trades people for many years.” “A challenge for us – and one that industry expects us to meet in our role as trainers - is to ensure that our apprentices leave Okanagan College with an education in current technology,” said Al Cohoe, chair of the Motor Vehicle Trades Department at the College. “There was a big smile on my face when GM called to let me know about this donation and I can assure you that students are eager to get their hands on these engines.”
Tuesday, June 15, 2010 Canadian Navy Partnership with College Steers New Course to Technology Diploma and Naval Career Posted by: Public Affairs Okanagan College Media Release Early one morning late last month, Chantel Boychuk was doing what most college students do after completing a grueling first year of intense study: enjoying well-earned sleep. The phone call that woke her was welcome and expected. It was the Canadian Forces recruiting centre letting her know it was full steam ahead with her enrollment in the navy. The bleary eyed student was about to become Ordinary Seaman Under-Training Boychuk. What this means, under the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Education Plan (NCM SEP), is the Canadian Forces will be picking up the tab for Chantel’s last year of her two-year Electronic Engineering Technology diploma including books, tuition and any necessary equipment or tools while providing her with a salary of $37,000 for the year. She receives full medical and dental coverage and all of her time in school qualifies towards a military pension. Further, she gets to enjoy 20 days of paid vacation this year, which is standard for all members of the Canadian Forces. “It was great news,” said Chantel, who is among the first students at Okanagan College to take advantage of an “all expenses paid” technical education offered by the navy. She started the diploma program without prior knowledge of NCM SEP and only became aware after a presentation made by Petty Officer First Class Mike Babcock in September, 2009. “As the navy’s recruiting and attractions coordinator for both British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, it is my primary duty to inform the public of these fantastic opportunities to serve in one of the most professional and respected navies in the world ” said Petty Officer Babcock. As a member of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, the Electronic Engineering Technology program was recently accredited as meeting the necessary criteria for NCM SEP through the Canadian Forces College Opportunities Program quality control process. “I saw it as a real opportunity,” said Boychuk. The arrangement with the Canadian Forces means that, after Chantel graduates next spring, she will be promoted to the acting rank of Leading Seaman with a starting salary of over $65,000 for the year. It’s simple: for every month of subsidized education, the navy asks for two months of obligatory service, explained Petty Officer Babcock. Her brief period of employment to 2016 will give her the opportunity to travel around the world in a state-of-the-art warship gaining a unique set of skills, forging life-long friendships, and experiencing a wide variety of cultures and places. “We know that our graduates and co-op students have many career options and opportunities,” said Gary Schwartz, Chair of the Electronic Engineering Technology department. “This relationship we have with the Canadian Forces opens another door for them.” The two-year electronic engineering technology diploma program provides the theoretical and practical knowledge required to understand the design and operation of analog and digital electronic systems. NCM SEP graduates will build upon this core body of knowledge with a further six months of intensive navy-specific, “class-of-ship” pneumatics, electronics, and hydraulics training delivered in either Halifax or Victoria. Okanagan College’s Electronic Engineering Technology program is nationally accredited at the level of Engineering Technologist by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB). Graduates may also apply to bridge into engineering degree programs offered by the University of Victoria or Lakehead University. Students who want to learn more about the Electronic Engineering technology program at Okanagan College can visit the department’s website at www.okanagan.bc.ca/electronics. To learn more about NCM SEP visit the CF website at: www.forces.ca/html/subsidizedtechnicaltraining_en.aspx