Trades & Apprenticeship

Choose a Career in the Trades

The need for well-skilled, trained trades people to fill a growing number of vacancies in Canadian industry is critical. Our trades programs have earned a solid reputation for providing top-quality training and education for the past 40 years, and our apprentices consistently demonstrate their abilities with medal-winning performances at provincial and national competitions. The expert instructors at the new Okanagan College have built the best entry-level training and apprenticeship programs in B.C. as evidenced by the positive comments from our grads' employers. With industry support, we provide students with training on the latest tools and in the most current practices to give them a career advantage. Many of our grads have job offers before they have even completed their courses! Check out our Trades Foundation Programs below.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (M-License)

Automotive Collision Repair/Painting & Refinishing

2010 Intakes:   February 1 & September 7

Program Length:   36 Weeks
Campus Location:   Kelowna

The program takes a student with little or no previous experience in the automotive collision trade and supplys them with the necessary skills to seek employment in this industry. Instruction in all subject matters- Automotive Collision Repair, Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician and Automotive Refinishing, and Painting Technician, allows students the opportunity to enter one of three different apprenticeships.

Check out Student Testimonials and visit Collision Repairs Website

Automotive Refinishing (Painting)

Next Intake:   To Be Determined

Program Length:   22 Weeks
Campus Location:   Kelowna

The program includes instruction in all subject matters relating to the Automotive Paint Prep apprenticeship and graduates of this program will receive Industry Training Authority (ITA) credit for Level 1 Apprenticeship technical training for Automotive Paint Prep Technician. The Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician credential is the prerequisite for the Automotive Refinishing and Paint apprenticeship.
Look at training in Automotive Collision Repair/Painting Refinishing

Automotive Service Technician

2010 Intakes:   February 1 & September 7

Program Length:   30 weeks
Campus Locaton:   Kelowna

This program is designed to engage student in all aspects of servicing and repair in the automotive repair trade with a focus on developing practical skills.

See what it takes to be an Automotive Mechanic

Carpentry/Joinery

2010 Intakes:   June 21  & October 4

Program Length:   30 weeks
Campus Location:   Kelowna

Students enrolled in this Carpentry/Joinery program will develop the skills needed to begin working in the carpentry and joinery trade. Click onto Department Homepage link below and take a tour of our shops.

Culinary Arts

2010 Intakes:   January 4 & September 7

Program Length:   40 week (January's Class has a Summer Break from June 21st - Sept. 7th)
Campus Location:   Kelowna

This program is designed for the learner with a demonstrated interest in following a career in food preparation service. Check out the Culinary Arts Homepage if you are interested in a career in Food & Wine and/or call Chef Adams @ 250-762-5445 Ext. 4591 for more Information.

Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship 

2010 Intakes:   February 8 *** ,  March 22 **, August 9* , September 7

Program Length:   24 weeks
Campus Locations:   Vernon*, Penticton **, Salmon Arm***  & Kelowna***

This program covers all aspects of the residential, commercial and industrial systems in this trade with a focus on developing practical skills. The curriculum follows the BC Ministry of Advanced Education guidelines for the first-year in-class components of the Electrician Apprenticeship, which includes installation procedures in compliance with the Canadian Electrical Code for residential, commercial and industrial systems.

Take charge of your future - visit the Electrical Homepage for further details on the program.

Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Technician

2010 Intakes:   February 8 & September 7

Program Length:   38 weeks
Campus Locaton:   Kelowna

This program is designed to take a student with little or no previous experience in either the Heavy Duty or Commercial Transport Mechanic trade and supply them with the necessary skills to seek employment in this industry. Instruction in theoretical and practical components of Heavy Duty Commerical Transport Mechanics are included, giving students the opportunity to enter either trade as an apprenticeship.

Considering a career in the Heavy Duty / Commerical Transportation Trade check out a few Testimonials

Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship

2010 Intakes:   February 9, February  22**, & August 23***

Program Length:   21 weeks
Campus Locations:   Kelowna , Vernon*,  Penticton**, Salmon Arm*** 

The program engages the student in all aspects of residential, commercial and industrial systems in this trade with a focus on developing practical skills. The curriculum follows the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education guidelines for the first-year in-class components of the Plumbing Apprenticeship, which includes installation procedures in compliance with the B.C. Plumbing Code.

Visit their website for further details - click here .

Recreation Vehicle Service Technician

2010 Intakes:   February 8 & September 8

Program Length:   28 weeks
Campus Location:   Kelowna

This program has been designed to take a student with little or no previous experience and supply him/her with the necessary skills to seek employment as an apprentice RV Service Technician. The Recreation Vehicle Industry is going through tremendous growth. More people are adopting the “Go RVing” lifestyle than ever before, and employment opportunities are popping up in this industry all over Canada.

Work on Peoples Dreams RV Technician .

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic  ** New Program

For more details on this new program click on the Department Website and the Online Calendar.

Residential Construction

2010 Intake:   February 1 - in all locations noted below except February 22****

Program Length:   900 hours over 26 weeks
Campus Locations:   Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Revelstoke****

Through the construction of an actual house, this program provides students with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to seek employment as an apprentice carpenter in the residential construction industry.

Check out the possibilities of Residential Construction

Metal Fabricator (Fitter)

Welding "C"

2010 Intakes:   January 5, February 8*, February 22, April 6, May 10, 
                             June 15,  August 9**, September 7, October 26, November 29

Program Length:   28 weeks
Campus Locations:   Kelowna, Vernon*, Penticton**, Salmon Arm ***

The program prepares the student for employment as a welder in the industry. Graduates of the program may qualify for a Level "C" certification with five months of practical welding xperience. We also offer Welding B & A please see website below.

For Welding "B" & "A" please contact Mike Turigan in the Welding Shop at 250-762-5445 Ext. 4434 or Toll Free 1-877-755-2266 Ext. 4434

Sheet Metal Worker

Next Intakes:   To Be Determined

Program Length:   24 weeks
Campus Location:   Kelowna

The program provides students with little or no previous experience in the sheet metal trade with the necessary skills to seek employment in that industry as an apprenticeship sheet metal worker. Apprenticeship technical training credit for level one will be granted upon successful completion of this program. This program exposes students to aspects of residential, commercial and industrial systems in this trade with a focus on developing practical skills.

Check out a career as a Sheet Metal Worker