It was a gathering of future minds together with health care leaders and community advocates at Okanagan College's Vernon campus June 12.
SD22 students at the OC On Track: Careers in Health Care event
Close to 800 Grade 9 students from the Vernon area were introduced to OC's health care programming and the pathways that can lead them to a rewarding career in health at the event called OC On Track: Pathways to Careers in Health, a partnership between OC, School District 22, Interior Health and directly funded through a grant to School District 22 from the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
"This was a really cool experience," shared one grade nine student. "Visiting the different health care program tents was helpful because a lot of us don't know about all of the different jobs in health care that are out there -- and there are so many!"
Students were able to explore potential health care careers, visiting interactive stations set up outside of the Vernon campus providing some experiential learning opportunities as well as information about OC programs high school students can access while still in high school such as dual credit and sampler programs.
"Inspiring our next generation of healthcare professionals starts with meaningful, hands-on experiences. Events like this bridge the gap between education and real-world career pathways, empowering students to explore their passions and develop the skills they need to thrive," said the Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. "By investing in their future, we're not only strengthening the healthcare workforce but also ensuring British Columbians continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve."
"Today's event is about bringing students together to see and explore exciting career possibilities in health care," said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. "Our government has provided over $600,000 in recent years to the Vernon school district to expand access to health-related training opportunities for high school students in this region. We're proud to support pathways that help young people take their first steps toward rewarding, in-demand careers that make a real difference in their communities and beyond."
Okanagan College's Health and Social Development department features programming in several health fields including Licensed Practical Nursing, Certified Dental Assistant, Health Care Assistant, Early Childhood Education, Pharmacy Technician, Recreation Therapy, Human Service Worker and more.
OC Dental Assistant Certificate tent
"Our programs are designed to prepare learners for the workforce," said Patrena Mackie, OC's dean of health and social development. "We have exceptional instructors who provide hands-on learning experiences, ensuring our learners are well-prepared to begin supporting communities in the health and social development field."
Students attending the event also heard a keynote speech from global mental health advocate Alex Boyé who combines entertainment with a powerful message of courage, connection and care.
"This event is a great example of what can happen when we work together to support students," said School District 22 superintendent Karla Mitchell. "Working together with Interior Health and Okanagan College allows us to open doors for our learners -- to stimulate curiosity, build confidence and expose them to career paths that support both their futures and the needs of our communities."
Okanagan College works with school districts across the Okanagan and Shuswap, collaborating to provide local students with awareness of the educational programs available at OC -- on campus and online.
"I'd like to offer sincere thanks to all of our partners who collaborated to bring this impactful event to life," said Mehgan Cabrera, Associate Director of Recruitment and Enrolment at Okanagan College. "Our work with School District 22 and Interior Health offered students a valuable opportunity to explore the many meaningful and rewarding career pathways available to them."
OC Pharmacy Technician Certificate tent
For information on Okanagan College programs, visit our Future Students page.
