Diploma in International Development

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

This 30-week (900 hour) program has been designed to take learners with little or no previous experience in the automotive collision repair trade and supply them with the necessary skills to seek employment in this industry. Instruction in all subject matters relating to Level 1 technical training for Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Automotive Collision Repair Technician) apprenticeship is included.

Graduates of this program will receive Industry Training Authority (ITA) credit for Level 1 technical training and 625 work-based hours towards their apprenticeship for Motor Vehicle Body Repairer.

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.

The civil engineering technologist is involved in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, highways, streets, parks, subdivisions, dams, drainage and irrigation systems, water supply and sewer systems, and plants. Aspects of civil engineering and urbanization in Canada are studied throughout this program. A diverse and stimulating program, Civil Engineering Technology incorporates field trips to reinforce theoretical background, and to develop appropriate methods of approach and solution. Graduates will possess the following knowledge and skills:

• A knowledge of mathematics, applied science, surveying principles, graphical language and oral and written communication techniques;
• A grounding in applied civil engineering technology as related to highway surveying, road design and construction, municipal construction, bridge construction, municipal water and sewage works, irrigation and drainage, and heavy construction;
• Skills in drafting, detailing, computing, surveying, laboratory testing (soil mechanics, concrete and asphalt paving), construction inspection, writing technical reports and correspondence, preparation of specifications and costs, basic structural design in steel, reinforced concrete, design of water distribution and sewage collection systems, heating and air conditioning and other building services, and engineering law.

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 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.

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 Audio Engineering and Music Production certificate is a 730-hour program that trains individuals to work in various technical positions such as recording arts, music, theatre, concerts, broadcasting, video and film. The program develops skills required to operate digital and analog audio recording, programming and processing equipment. The course content provides a foundation in the principles of hearing, sound, music, basic electronics, processing, signal flow, microphone techniques, mixing and mastering, live sound engineering, and reviews current industry standards. Students will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard recording and studio systems, and music and audio experience.

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. 

The curriculum for the Diploma in Human Service Work reflects the expanding responsibilities and evolving practice standards for graduates from non-degree social service programs. It has been developed with extensive community consultation and learning objectives are guided by provincially identified practice competencies.

The Human Service Work Diploma is a full-time and demanding endeavour. Students are in class approximately 18 hours/week and are expected to read and complete assignments outside of class on a daily basis. Students take responsibility for their own learning as well as being active participants in the classroom. Students graduating from this program will be working with people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged in some way. This generally requires graduates from this program to be client-centered, able to explore and challenge themselves (thoughts, feelings, behaviours) and to be open to change. Students entering into this program must be emotionally, physically, cognitively, and psychologically healthy.