KELOWNA – The total number of students enrolled in programs at Okanagan College has climbed by more than four per cent compared to last year at the same time.
A snapshot of enrolment at mid-September shows that 8,463 students had registered in programs and courses, compared to 8,089 on the same date a year ago.
“All indicators suggest that Okanagan College is on track to exceed government enrolment targets for the 13th year in a row,” says Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “That is an achievement unparalleled in the College sector in BC. The strong demand for our programming indicates we are providing relevant and valuable education for our communities, and that’s what is most important to us.”
In 2016-17, Okanagan College achieved 111 per cent of those government targets.
The mid-September numbers don’t tell the entire enrolment story. Okanagan College has many programs that start at various times of the academic year and a significant winter semester intake in January that will determine final annual enrolment numbers.
The Sept. 15 numbers show:
- Salmon Arm grew to 709 students from 563.
- Kelowna grew to 5,330 from 5,155.
- Penticton grew to 940 students from 884.
- Vernon’s headcount dropped to 970 from 1044 – partly as a consequence of a rotating practical nursing program that was in Vernon last year and is in Salmon Arm this year.
- The number of students taking distance education courses has risen to 513, from 443.
- The number of international students attending Okanagan College this fall has grown significantly: 878 international students.