As interior employers continue to struggle to recruit and retain staff, International Gateway Kelowna is trying to assist in filling that need.

IGK is Kelowna’s oldest language school, also offering career college diploma and certificate programs. From their twenty-year history they have created a vast network of international recruitment agents and immigration consultants. By utilizing the needs of those clients in obtaining work placements for either travelling individuals wanting to work abroad, or for those looking to immigrate to Canada, there is a wonderful opportunity for people to come to Kelowna and support the local businesses with a desperate need for trained staff.

According to Blaine Melnyk, Director of Recruitment, “we receive requests from international agents who have clients wishing to come to Canada from Switzerland for example. These clients want to do up to 18 months of work abroad experience as part of the International Experience Canada program offered by the Canadian Government. They want to come for an intensive English language study program with us first, and then go to an employer for the next year or in some cases up to two years.”

Along with ESL language study programs, including University Pathway and Summer Camps, IGK offers a Diploma in Business Administration, Certificate in Cryptocurrency Professional, Certificate of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and a Certificate of Winery Assistant and Sales. Programs range in length from 6 months to 18 months, with paid co-op and university transfer credits available. Additional certificate programs in UX and UI Design, along with a Diploma of Cybersecurity Specialist are available for the January intake period.

According to the CEO Onur Guler, “Career colleges can effectively adapt and adjust to the market quicker, offering theoretical and practical knowledge, and partnering with industry leaders to determine and develop the courses to ensure proper training for their field's needs.”

If interested in finding out how to partner with our agents currently looking for businesses, or for any of our programs, contact us at any time.

IGK is offering local students' scholarships if applying and accepted before July 1st. Come and meet us at the Canadian Home Builders Association hiring fair, May 27/28, call 250-868- 4827, email [email protected] for more information or stop by the College at 618 Bernard Avenue.