MLA for Kelowna-Mission Steve Thomson, on behalf of the Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson, has announced $18.9 million for the construction of a new Health Sciences Centre at Okanagan College in Kelowna.

The new facility will ensure that Okanagan College continues to train students for health science careers that are in demand throughout the province.

The Province of B.C. will contribute $15.4 million and Okanagan College will contribute $3.5 million toward the construction of the new facility that will be located beside the existing Laboratory Building. The Laboratory Building currently accommodates the bachelor of science in nursing program, university transfer science programs and engineering technology programs.

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The new 2,800 square-metre (30,000 square-foot) Health Sciences Centre will be an integrated learning centre that will include programs such as practical nursing, pharmacy technician, human service worker and early childhood education.

The new centre will allow Okanagan College to provide an additional 79 health and social development full-time equivalent student spaces to meet potential future demand.

The 2025 B.C. Labour Market Outlook forecasts more than 70,000 job openings in the health occupation group and more than 71,000 job openings in the natural and applied sciences and related occupation group over the next 10 years.

The Okanagan College project will create 71 jobs in construction and 47 jobs in supplier industries, including engineering and project management over the life of the project.

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The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province – and in doing so, these construction projects are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of the strong fiscal plan of the B.C. government.

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Quotes:

Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission, on behalf of the Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson –

“Strong fiscal planning by the B.C. government means that new infrastructure is being built at post-secondary campuses in the Okanagan. These projects support students who are building a future through education and creating family-supporting jobs.”

Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna –

“We’re making record investments in education and training infrastructure at public post-secondary institutions, including the new Health Sciences Centre at Okanagan College. For the students, it’ll be more than a new facility – it will be the launch point to good jobs their families can depend on.”

Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country –

“Nurses, pharmacy technicians and child-care workers are just some of the professionals we rely on every day. Students completing their education in the new centre will go on to careers that support the health of Okanagan families at all stages of their lives.”

Jim Hamilton, president, Okanagan College –

“The Health Sciences Centre has been a high priority for Okanagan College and today’s announcement is welcome news for thousands of students who will have the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to advance their careers in health and social development. The new building will be constructed to meet high standards of sustainability and will provide a modern learning space for students who will become an integral part of our province’s work force.”

Jenny Winberg, student, Okanagan College –

“This new building will be the missing piece of the puzzle when it comes to training our health-care and social development practitioners of the future. Okanagan College has amazing instructors and their passion for health care and teaching is evident. The addition of a modern building with state-of-the-art equipment will set students up for even greater success in their education and they will be better prepared to head out into the workforce.”

Learn More:

2025 B.C.’s Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/Labour-Market-Industry/B-C-s-Economy/Reports.aspx

Okanagan College: http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/

Okanagan College health, science and technology programs: http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/Campus_and_Community/employees/institutional-research/Our_Students/Student_Outcomes/Science__Technology_and_Health.html