Schools & Education

Diverse educational opportunities exist for children including French immersion programs and gifted programs. In addition to traditional university programs, specific custom-designed career and technical training is also available. Additional information is provided in the education section of our Economic Profile


Education Sector

Post-Secondary:

On July 1, 2005, OUC transitioned into two new institutions – the new Okanagan College (OC) and the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO). As of September 2005, programs currently offered at Okanagan University College will be available at either the new Okanagan College or UBC Okanagan. OUC is no longer accepting applications for programs that begin after July 1, 2005.   

UBC Okanagan (UBC-O)

“An Intimate Learning Community”

UBC Okanagan opened in September 2005 as a distinctive, small university campus. UBC calls it an intimate learning community -- where students interact with one another and their professors on a daily basis, while becoming global citizens through interaction with their community and the world.
 
Destined to quickly become an important, respected centre of learning and research, enhancing knowledge creation and innovation in the Okanagan, UBC Okanagan also offers a campus life rich with opportunities to build cultural and social connections, to learn, grow and express yourself.

With a goal of enrolling 7,500 students by 2009, UBC Okanagan is growing to serve the needs of our region, increasing access to the world-class UBC degree.  As the student numbers increase and the campus master plan becomes reality, UBC Okanagan will continue to feature small class sizes, experiential learning, community involvement, and direct access to research activity.

The UBC Okanagan Senate approved the Academic Plan in 2005. The plan sets a number of Imperatives which will define the academic, social, cultural, and research pathways for UBC Okanagan’s Community of Excellence.

Economic Benefits

UBC Okanagan is a regional economic driver:

Source:  UBC Okanagan Website, Feb 2006

With campuses in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton, and education centres throughout the region, the new Okanagan College offers a diverse array of high quality academic, developmental, trades, technology and vocational program.  With the expected addition of 1,000 new spaces over the next six years and the anticipated development of new programs and facilities, Okanagan College is dedicated to meeting the needs of the region's residents and employers with an expanded array of world-class education and training programs.  

The Kelowna campus has a history going back 40 years. It was the original site for the BC Vocational School, which opened its doors in 1963 and was home to the Okanagan Regional College established in 1965. As the two institutions merged and eventually became Okanagan University College (OUC), the campus developed a reputation of providing outstanding trades, technologies, business and vocational programs as well as innovative adult education programs.

The college hosts approximately 3,600 students in addition to over 30,000 Continuing Education registrations.  In June 2006, Okanagan College conferred more than 300 degrees and diplomas on graduates from a variety of programs.  209 Diplomas were awarded to students in the Business Administration Diploma program, Commercial Aviation, Computer Information Systems and Engineering Technologies, and 142 students were given degrees in the Bachelor of Business Administration program.

Okanagan College is an integrated part of the learning opportunities in this region.  Working closely with UBC Okanagan and its K-12 partners, the college will become an increasingly important part of the regional economy.

Our region is also home to other post-secondary institutes offering a vast array of vocational and adult education programs. For information on each school just click on the links below:

Center for Arts & Technology
Sprott-Shaw Community College
Trend College
Vancouver Career College
Okanagan Fashion Institute

Ministry of Education

The Government of British Columbia is committed to providing a high quality education for Kindergarten to Grade 12 children so they can develop their individual potential and acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes to contribute to society. Detailed information on the Ministry of Education (www.gov.bc.ca/bced), their programs, accountability scholarships and awards can be found on their website. As part of the Government’s commitment to quality education satisfaction surveys have been developed as part of the annual accountability cycle and provide a common basis for discussing satisfaction at the provincial, district and school levels. Survey results are available for the provincial level, 60 school districts and 1600 individual school reports.