Facilities at Okanagan College are being upgraded and modernized, thanks to over $570,000 in capital funding that is part of government’s investment in public post-secondary infrastructure this year.

The upgrades will ensure campus infrastructure and operational systems are performing at optimum levels.

The college and government also announced today how more than $550,000 in one-time funding will be used to offer skilled trades-related training in the region. The college expects to create 110 seats over the coming year, including training in mining, oil and gas-related supervision and safety, and green building design, among others.

B.C. taxpayers are providing over $45 million for Okanagan College’s operations and infrastructure this year, up from $27.6 million in 2005/06. The number of funded student spaces at the college has increased 21 per cent over that time.

Over $34 million in capital investments have been made at Okanagan College since 2005, including construction of the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation at the Penticton campus, and renovation and expansion of the trades facility at the Salmon Arm campus.