Advanced Certificate in Communication

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

The Commercial Aviation Diploma (CAD) program is for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in commercial aviation. The program provides students with university-­level business competencies as well as Transport Canada commercial aviation licensing requirements. Graduates are qualified to be employed as pilots with charter companies, regional carriers and private corporations, and upon attaining sufficient flying hours, will also have job opportunities with major airline companies. Graduates may also find employment in other aviation-related careers.

The Commercial Aviation diploma program consists of two distinct and separate areas of study - aviation and flight training courses, and university-level academic courses. The flight training is taught at the Southern Interior Flight Centre facility located at the Kelowna International Airport and consists of Transport Canada-prescribed flight training, simulator training, aviation theory and exams. The academic portion of the program is completed at Okanagan College and consists of eight 3-credit courses taken as part of this program.

The Commercial Aviation program is made available through a co-operative partnership between Okanagan College and the Southern Interior Flight Centre (1993) Ltd. The academic portion offered by Okanagan College is subject to normal Okanagan College regulations and tuition fees. The aviation and flight training portion is offered by Southern Interior Flight Centre and is not subject to Okanagan College control and regulations, although all tuition fees for academic courses and flight training are paid to Okanagan College. Okanagan College will maintain records of the student's flight training achievements as provided by Southern Interior Flight Centre on the official Okanagan College transcript.

This two-year diploma program is designed for students who wish to obtain employment in the automotive industry as an Automotive Service Technician, or seek a management role in service, sales or operations. The program begins by providing the student with the first year of apprenticeship training followed by second-year courses in advanced level automotive service and repair with a focus on industry required skills in technical writing, business practices, office skills and management. This unique program provides training in technical areas that include automotive service and repair, technical writing and communication and business practices. Upon successful completion of the technical training, students will be eligible to write the provincial Industry Training Authority standardized examinations for AST HL1 and receive 450 hours of practical work based hours towards the AST HL1 certification.

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 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.

The Culinary Management Diploma examines the developing Okanagan region trend toward the combination of wineries and restaurants. Unique features of the program include the analysis of food and wine pairing and the combination of food, wine and business training that reflects regional industry training demands.

The total length of the program is two years, beginning with the Culinary Arts program, which includes a ten week co-op, followed by two semesters of Business Administration and Wine courses. Students graduating with this diploma will receive technical training credits towards their cook apprenticeship, hours credited towards their apprenticeship and academic credit for the Business Administration courses completed.

An 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 also receive credit for FOODSAFE Level 1 and WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Material Information System). Apprenticeship practical Training credit may also be granted as a result of prior practical experience. The students must provide proof of completion of an additional 400 work-based hours* and successfully complete all program components prior to advancing to the Level 2 components of the program. The ITA required 400 hours may be obtained with the paid work-based Co-op (week 31 start), depending on the successful completion of the PC1 component. Upon successful completion of the Level 1 and Level 2 requirements students are eligible to challenge the respective Provincial Cook Certificate of Qualification examinations. 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 Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

Co-operative Education: Entry into the co-operative education option is a student's choice, and subject to completion of all first-year courses and an overall grade average of 65%.

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 Office Management certificate provides graduates of applied business technology and administrative assistant programs with a broad business base that emphasizes managerial aspects of secretarial work. Students will be prepared to write the proficiency exams leading to the Certified Professional Secretary designation. Courses leading to this credential will be offered during the day and evening. Some courses are available by distance education.

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

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.