Okanagan College (OC) has signed partnerships with key tourism organizations to strengthen its programming and create new opportunities for students.
These agreements are with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), and Tourism HR Canada (THRC).
“The tourism sector across Canada is a major driver of our economy and a major employer, with one in 10 employed Canadians working in the sector,” said Joe Baker, Dean of the OC School of Business.
The partnerships will align OC’s tourism and hospitality curriculum with industry standards. They will also provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience and build connections through Work Integrated Learning.
Okanagan College will align its programming with Tourism HR Canada’s SMART accreditation program. Members of TOTA, TIABC, and THRC will serve on OC’s program advisory committee, offering valuable industry guidance.
The collaboration also opens doors for applied research projects and grant opportunities through OC’s Department of Applied Research and its BC Beverage and Technology Access Centre (BCBTAC).
“We are focused on creating programming that fits the needs of our communities, and supporting the food, beverage, and tourism industries is a perfect fit,” said Samantha Lenci, OC Provost and Vice President Academic. “We look forward to having dynamic programming available when our new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism is complete in 2027.”
Okanagan College already offers a variety of programs supporting these industries, including its Tourism Management Diploma, Culinary Arts School, and certificates in viticulture, wine sales, winery assistant, landscape horticulture, and hospitality. Future offerings will include a Hotel and Restaurant Management Diploma and an Events Management Diploma.
The Centre for Food, Wine, and Tourism is currently in the site preparation stage at OC’s Kelowna campus. Construction is set to begin in 2025, with completion expected in 2027. Once finished, the facility will support education and innovation in the food, beverage, and tourism sectors.
