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When Mike Grewe looked to further his education, he was unsure whether the pursuit of traditional post-secondary education was truly for him. With a deep passion for music, Mike was looking for a program that would support his musical interests and position him for career opportunities in the industry. What he found was the Audio Engineering and Music Production Certificate at Okanagan College (OC). 

The Audio Engineering and Music Production program is one of dozens of OC courses and programs under the new InspirED banner, announced by the College this month. Pronounced ‘Inspire Ed’, the name is connected to Inspire, OC’s Strategic Plan. 

“InspirED is the new name, look and feel for the wide range of courses, certificates and short-duration programs offered by our Continuing Studies and Corporate Training team as we launch our Fall 2024 programming,” explains Danelle Greebe, Director of Continuing Studies and Corporate Training at OC. “Our team works with communities up and down the Okanagan Valley, supporting students of all ages, from all walks of life, at various stages of their learning journeys.  We are excited to continue this important work and launch a new era at Okanagan College under the name InspirED.” 

Programs under the InspirED banner include certificates and microcredentials, including the Education Assistant certificate and the new Spa Practitioner microcredential. Other new programs include: 

• Digital Marketing Series (includes Social Media Content Strategies and Optimizing a Website for Social Media and Advertising Campaigns)
• Amazon Web Services – Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Prep
• Advanced Nursing Footcare 

InspirED also features many short courses that fit the needs of today’s modern and changing world to support ongoing learning, upskilling, or reskilling. 

As for Mike, he completed the InspirED certificate in Audio Engineering and Music Production which allowed him to develop the skills necessary to record, mix, and produce his own songs. “I was already playing drums and learning bass guitar and this additional training supported my desire to create my music entirely,” says Mike.  

Encouraged by his experience with the Audio Engineering and Music Production program, Mike was motivated to continue his studies at Okanagan College through the Computer Information Systems Diploma. “The skills from audio engineering, like problem-solving and working with complex software, have been incredibly transferable and invaluable in the world of computer science,” explains Mike, who is currently applying his skills as a Desktop Technician in IT services at Okanagan College.  

Looking ahead, Mike envisions a career that marries his interests in audio engineering and computer systems and credits his training at Okanagan College for the development of his unique expertise. “I am grateful for my experience through InspirED and Okanagan College,” he says. “The cross-disciplinary training has enriched my educational journey and I feel well-equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving tech and digital media landscapes.” 

“Our team at InspirED is committed to offering a comprehensive range of programs and courses that meet the diverse needs and aspirations of the people and businesses in the communities we serve,” says Danelle. “We love hearing stories like Mike’s, knowing that the InspirED training he received at OC has had such a positive impact on his life.” 

For more information about InspirED at Okanagan College and to check out all the Fall 2024 programs, visit /continuing-studies.