Certificate in Administrative Assistant

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 Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on specific disciplines. These programs will be of interest to mature students who are already employed. The series will be available in the evening on a two- or three-year rotation depending on the discipline. Some courses are also 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.

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%.

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.

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 diploma program provides students with a broad understanding of business practices. With the experience and skills learned in the classroom, students will be able to progress to more responsible roles in accounting, marketing, operations, personnel or general administration. Year one of the program provides a solid foundation in general business. Options are available in Accounting, Financial Services, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Human Resources Management, Management and Marketing. A General Studies option is also available to those who want to take elective courses from a variety of options.

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.

This 20-course (60 credit) post-baccalaureate diploma is aimed at students with a bachelor's degree in any business or non-business program other than those with a Human Resources Management major or specialty, who wish to pursue a career in the Human Resources Management field. Students graduating with an average of 70% or higher may be eligible for an exemption from the National Knowledge Exam (NKEJ, as administered by the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia & Yukon. The NKE is one of the requirements to become a designated professional in Human Resources Management, known as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR).

This 50-week (1,600 hour) certificate program includes all the craft skills needed to work as a professional Baker/Patissier, as outlined in the National Occupation Analysis for Baker Level 1. The program also includes a Co-op, providing an opportunity to experience and learn in a dynamic industry based environment. The initial term focuses on workplace safety and organization, ingredient and finished product knowledge. This is followed by the making of breads, cakes and pastries in all their various forms from cookies to wedding cakes, pies to artisan sourdough bread, and chocolate souffle to pieces montees.

This program focuses on the wealth of farm-to-table opportunities afforded by the Okanagan region, emphasising the use of local products including premium wines, beers and spirits, both as ingredients and as beverages paired with the finished dessert or baked good. Locally-grown herbs, fruits and vegetables are featured, organically-grown grains and in-house milling are also regional features of the program. Successful graduates will be ready for employment in any of the various settings where baked goods are required, from care homes and camps, to specialty bakeries, fine dining restaurants, hotels, resorts and cruise ships. Self-employment is also a popular option.

Okanagan College offers first- and second-year courses in Arts and Science. Most courses have transfer credit at universities in British Columbia and will transfer to other universities within Canada. Areas of specialization include: 

• Communications
• Criminal and Social Justice
• Economics
• English
• Geography
• History
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Modern Languages
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

An associate degree consists of two years of undergraduate university-level study in a variety of disciplines. Specific courses and credits are provincially-approved to qualify students for degree completion. This credential enables students to transfer into the third year of an undergraduate university degree. Block transfer is also available at many universities in B.C.