Diploma in International Development

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

This two-year diploma program is designed for students who wish to obtain employment in the automotive industry as an Automotive Collision Repair Technician, Refinishing Preparation Technician or Auto Glass Technician. The program begins by providing the student with the first year of apprenticeship training followed by second-year courses that focus on industry required skills in estimating, office skills and entrepreneurship.

This unique program provides training in four technical areas that include automotive refinishing preparation, automotive refinishing, automotive collision repair and auto glass repair and replacement. Each of these areas will be covered providing the graduate with completion of four modules of level one technical training. Upon successful completion of the technical training, students will be eligible to write the provincial Industry Training Authority standardized examinations.

This diploma program provides training in analog and digital electronic systems and equipment. The program places equal emphasis on a thorough understanding of circuit and system concepts/applications and proper techniques for building, testing and measuring circuits and systems. Graduates find employment in the areas of communications, microcontroller applications, embedded system applications, systems control and automation. Many jobs relate to the installation, operation, maintenance and design of complex electrical and electronic equipment. Graduates work for a wide range of government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions. Some graduates are employed as assistants to scientists and engineers on research and development projects. With the increasing growth in the industrial Internet of Things (loT) which includes both networked and automated control systems, there is strong demand for technologists with knowledge of analog systems, digital systems and networking.
The Electronics Engineering Technology program offers graduates the opportunity to bridge into engineering degree programs at University of British Columbia - Okanagan, University of Victoria and Lakehead University.

National Accreditation: The Electronics Engineering Technolgoy program is nationally accredited by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). The program's strengths include Analog Systems, Microcontrollers, Communications Systems, and Industrial Data Communications and Networking. While attending Okanagan College, students may register with Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC). Following graduation and a few years of industry experience, graduates can apply to become Applied Science Technologists (AScT).

The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is a 1,110 hour (37 week) certificate program which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, computerized accounting, and presentation software. Students also learn business communications, business math, office procedures, effective job search techniques, accounting, and self-management skills. There is a three-week practicum component to this certificate.
The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is offered on campus as well as online. On-site students are normally enrolled full time; students wishing to take courses on campus on a part-time basis should consult with the department chair. Online students may complete the program part time.  Graduates may be employed as receptionists, general clerks, administrative or executive assistants, and other similar careers.

Graduates may also continue their education as the Administrative Assistant Certificate program is recognized by other programs such as the Okanagan College Legal Administrative and Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate programs. As well, select courses transfer to the Okanagan College Business Administration, Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB), and the Canadian Payroll Association programs.

This 33-week (990 hour) program takes students with little or no previous experience in the automotive repair trade and supplies them with the necessary skills to seek employment in this industry as an apprentice technician. The courses introduce the students to many aspects of servicing and repair in the automotive repair trade with a focus on developing practical skills. Graduates of this program will receive 450 hours towards Automotive Service Technician Year 1 (AST 1) certification and the opportunity to write the AST 1 Certificate of Qualification exam. The AST 1 Certificate of Qualification and 1590 workplace hours are required to proceed into AST 2. 

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.

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 two-year diploma program focuses upon the courses needed as prerequisites to enter into the CPA Professional Education Program. The program contains the 19 courses required as prerequisites to the CPA Professional Education program and 1 elective.

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.

Develop a base knowledge of engineering while investigating complex problems and designing solutions in this one-year Applied Science certificate program.

The Common First Year Engineering Certificate program provides the opportunity to study first-year Engineeing (Applied Science) at Okanagan College. All courses must be taken at Okanagan College within a 12-month period. Students completing the Common First Year Engineering Certificate are able to apply to some B.C. university's second year Engineering (Applied Science) Degree programs.

Graduation from the Common First Year Engineering Certificate program requires successful completion of all courses in the program outline with a minimum graduating grade average of 70%. Successful completion of individual courses requires a minimum grade of 50% with some courses requiring a higher minimum grade to be acceptable as prerequisites for subsequent courses at various institutions. Minimum graduating grade average for acceptance at receiving institutions will vary.

Upon successful completion of this program students will be able to:

• Develop a knowledge base for engineering
• Analyze and solve problems while applying engineering knowledge
• Conduct investigations into various complex problems
• Design solutions for complex problems
• Create, adapt and apply various engineering tools
• Work effectively in teams and as an individual
• Communicate complex engineering problems and solutions with professionals and the public
• Understand the roles and responsibility of a professional engineer
• Evaluate sustainable/environmental engineering solutions
• Apply professional ethics and accountability
• Understand introductory project management and the economic drivers of construction projects
• Develop a base for computer programming.

The mechanical engineering technologist is involved in the design, manufacture, testing, installation, operation and maintenance of a wide variety of machines and mechanical equipment. Through the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Okanagan College, students are trained in fundamental engineering principles and practice. Students will gain a working knowledge in the fundamentals of materials, structures, fluids, power, machine design, manufacturing, thermodynamics, HVAC, quality, and instrumentation and control. The use of current computer software is emphasized throughout the program. A diverse and stimulating program, Mechanical Engineering Technology incorporates labs and field trips to reinforce theoretical background, and to develop appropriate methods of approach and solution of engineering problems.

Graduates may be employed by a very broad range of industrial organizations. Opportunities include product design, specification, installation and maintenance of equipment, cost estimating, technical sales, quality management, inspection, production planning, automation, CAD/CAM, robotics, and research and development. Mechanical engineering technologists are in demand due to the tremendous diversity of the discipline.