Certificates of Business Studies in Financial Services (Co-op optional)

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

This unique two-year post-baccalaureate diploma (60 credit/20 course) is aimed at students with a bachelor degree in any business or science program who wish to pursue a career in Marketing and Data Analytics. Students will receive thorough training in statistics and data science. Term one of this program sets the mathematical and statistical foundation for higher level learning in the marketing and data science area. In subsequent terms, students build on, and apply, these foundational skills to a diverse set of areas. While many of the applications have a business or marketing focus, the mathematical, statistical, and data science concepts learned are universally applicable to a wide range of disciplines.

The Culinary Arts Certificate is for students with a passion for a career in the Restaurant, Food Service and Hospitality Industry and its wide variety of options. This 50 week (1,500 hour) program provides the fundamental knowledge needed for successful employment as a cook in one of the many areas of food service. This is an experiential program with emphasis on food preparation and presentation as well as basic service techniques. Located at the Kelowna campus kitchens and Infusions Restaurant the program mirrors a realistic training environment within the expected industry time­frame.

Apprenticeship technical training credit for Professional Cook Level 1 and Level 2 and 600 work based hours for Level 1 and 240 work based hours for Level 2 will be granted by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) upon successful completion of this program. Students will receive credit for Foodsafe Level 1. Apprenticeship practical training credit will also be granted by the Industry Training Authority as a result of prior practical experience. Students must provide proof of completion of the co-op or other 400 work-based hours and successfully complete all Level 1 components prior to advancing to Level 2 components of the program. Upon successful completion of Level 1 and Level 2 requirements, students are eligible to challenge the Provincial Cook Certificate of Qualification examinations for Level 1 and Level 2. Students wishing to pursue the Professional Cook Red Seal endorsement must provide proof of a total of 5,000 work-based hours and complete Level 3 technical training.

The publishing industry has been transformed by an unprecedented surge of activity as individuals and organizations share text and post images as never before. This has led to exciting changes and challenges in the way writers and publishers look at publishing. Graduates of this two-year diploma program will have the technical skills and wide range of experience crucial to navigating this industry.

Our applied and academic courses take students through the first stages of the writing process to the final post-production stages of publishing in a variety of formats. Our goals are to foster students' writerly personae, to hone their critical voices, and to teach them how to write professionally for multiple audiences. From creative writing workshops to web publishing labs to book design studios to professional editing classes, our courses help students acquire the skills necessary to ensure their work resonates on both page and screen.

We teach our students using industry-standard software, beginning on the first day of class and carrying through each semester of the program. Students can also take advantage of unique hands-on opportunities to put their skills into practice. Okanagan College features a working letterpress print shop, as well as other in-house elements such as Kalamalka Press and Ryga: A Journal of Provocations. These are only some of the opportunities for students to build the sort of portfolio that demonstrates to prospective employers how lessons learned in the classroom contribute to the broad skill set of a qualified professional.

Graduates of the program have a variety of options. Some may pursue employment in a range of traditional and new media outlets, from independent presses to commercial publishing houses. Others may choose to continue their studies in fields such as creative writing, journalism, marketing and media studies.

The Studio Woodworking Certificate Program is a 38-week (1140 hours) full-time study of woodworking from the craftsperson's perspective. With a primary focus on furniture, the program will offer a range of woodworking skill sets that can be adapted to any of the many disciplines within the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade. Inasmuch as this program's focus is 'Art' as well as 'Industry', the range of knowledge covered within this program will enable the successful student to acquire meaningful employment in a range of 'studio' or 'custom' environments with confidence, whether self-employed or working for others. Those successful students who wish to continue in a traditional apprenticeship will be granted level one apprenticeship technical training credit and 450 work-based hours in the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade by the Industry Training Authority in B.C.

The range of topics taught includes a history of the trade, design basics, an understanding of the materials, safe work practices, hand and machine skills, and joinery techniques. They also include more advanced techniques such as design and creating curved parts, veneer, inlay, marquetry and banding. Basic Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining will be explored. Wood finishing from simple hand rubbed to advanced spray booth techniques will be practiced. Students will also be introduced to portfolio and promotion concepts, including photography of product, and how to interact with clients. Students will design and build a final project from concept to promotion. A public exhibit at the conclusion of the program will spotlight the students' achievements and provide a showcase for their work.

The program consists of 37 weeks (1110 hours) of full-time studies. Approximately 50 percent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops located in OC’s Aerospace Campus at Kelowna International Airport. The program follows a national set of standards and is approved by Transport Canada.  Upon successful completion, the graduate will receive an Okanagan College certificate. Transport Canada also grants graduates of this program ten months experience credit towards the 36 month experience requirement.  Upon completion of the required total work experience and successful completion of a regulatory exam you will qualify for a Transport Canada AME "S" Licence.

The Business Administration Certificate program provides students with the opportunity to study areas of business such as Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resources Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management and Marketing. Students completing the Business Administration Certificate are able to apply their completed course work towards the Business Administration Diploma and/or the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. 

Graduates with a diploma or degree in Business Administration from Okanagan College may receive a post-diploma certificate in Business Administration by completing an additional 18 credits of BUAD courses, of which at least 15 credits must be course numbered 200 or higher. This certificate will be of interest to students who have completed one option and now wish to broaden their studies in a second option. Certificates are available in Accounting, Financial Services, General Studies, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Management, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Please contact the department chair for approval of your study plan.

This diploma program produces graduates who possess the skill set, attitude and knowledge to establish careers as certified technologists in the fields of local-area and wide-area voice, video and integrated data communications. Course work stresses messaging principles and provides insight into wired, wireless and fibre-optic signal propagation.

The rapid development and enrichment of global communications has produced a worldwide reliance on IP networks and the convergence of data and telecommunications has stimulated the need for larger and more integrated network implementations. Network and Telecommunications engineering technologists are trained to design, configure and support this telecommunications infrastructure. They are employed as network support specialists, network operations and telecommunications analysts, communications integrators, network administrators and consultants.

Graduates will possess the:

• skill sets, attitude and knowledge to establish careers and work efficiently as certified technologists in the fields of network and telecommunications engineering;
• understanding of how organizations function to provide effective integration of company operations and the networked corporate systems required today and in the future;
• necessary communication skills and knowledge of business operations required by corporate managerial roles or to start their own business as independent entrepreneurs;
• knowledge and practical experience to confidently challenge exams that form part of current industry certifications; and
• general theoretical skills required to pursue life-long learning and/or continue their education. 

The Therapist Assistant Diploma will prepare the graduate to work as an Assistant to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Recreational Therapists. It is a two-year diploma of full-time study including four semesters of coursework plus 18 weeks of practical experience in clinical settings.

Principles, theory and practice will be taught at the Assistant level in the disciplines of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Recreation Therapy. Students will obtain an academic and practical foundation in the areas of health and rehabilitation science, and will take introductory-level university courses in English, Biology and Psychology. The Therapist Assistant Diploma curriculum is reflective of the growing and evolving scope of practice for Therapist Assistants. It has been developed in consultation with therapists, therapist assistants, and employers province-wide and is informed by national trends and provincial trends and competencies.

This Program is a unique blend of traditional chemical and civil engineering technology combined with innovative water-focused environmental studies. The goals of the program are to educate, train and equip students so they are able to play a leading role in the water industry - both in Canada and internationally - to monitor, assess and protect both public health and water in the environment.

All students complete a common first year curriculum during which they receive a strong foundation of hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, water and wastewater treatment, along with water-focused biology and chemistry. During the second year students can choose between two options: Environmental Monitoring (EM) and Water and Wastewater Technology (WWT).

• The EM option focuses on natural waters with training provided in surface and groundwater hydrology, limnology, statistics and freshwater biology.
• The WWT option focuses on domestic water treatment, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, hydraulics, and industrial computer control.

Both options also provide further training in water microbiology along with environmental and analytical chemistry. All students are expected to complete a capstone technology project where emphasis will be on application of theoretical and practical experience gained in the program.