A new partnership between Niagara College and Okanagan College is set to broaden access to wine education in two of the country’s most prominent agricultural regions, while laying the groundwork for future collaboration in food, agriculture and tourism programming.
The colleges formalized the agreement last week at Niagara College, signing a memorandum of understanding that will see Okanagan College deliver Niagara’s Winery and Viticulture Technician curriculum in a format tailored to the Okanagan region. The program is designed to prepare students for careers across Canada’s growing wine sector, including roles such as winemaker, cellar technician, vineyard manager and laboratory or viticulture technician.
“This partnership brings together two colleges with a shared commitment to academic excellence,” said Okanagan College Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Samantha Lenci. “By collaborating with Niagara College, we are strengthening learning opportunities for students and delivering programs that reflect the needs of our communities and local industry. These industries are critical to our region, and we’re excited to expand our support of the Okanagan and Shuswap through relevant, applied programming.”
Niagara College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program, launched in 2000, was the first of its kind in Canada. It operates out of the country’s only commercial teaching winery at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake and is part of the institution’s School of Wine, Beer and Spirits. The school also offers brewing and distilling programs supported by on-campus teaching facilities.
“At Niagara College, we are proud of our reputation as a pioneer in wine education since we launched our trailblazing Winery and Viticulture Technician program 25 years ago along with Canada’s first commercial teaching winery,” said Niagara College Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie. “Sharing our gold-standard curriculum with Okanagan College is a testament to the quality of our programming and entrepreneurial spirit and expands the availability of wine education to Canada’s top two wine regions.”
Beyond curriculum delivery, the agreement signals broader collaboration between the institutions. Potential initiatives include credit transfer pathways, student and faculty exchanges, joint research efforts, and shared academic events.
“As a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, our region is uniquely positioned to lead at the intersection of food, wine and place,” said Joe Baker, Dean of the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Okanagan College. “By offering an established, world-class curriculum, the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship — through our new Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism — is building an academic foundation that will educate future leaders in viticulture, winemaking and winery management. This partnership ensures the Okanagan Valley not only sustains its global reputation, but also shapes the future of wine, tourism and culinary excellence far beyond our borders.”
The adapted curriculum is expected to launch in fall 2027 through Okanagan College’s forthcoming Centre for Food, Wine and Tourism, currently under construction at its Kelowna campus. The facility will bring together food, beverage and tourism programs, alongside a new restaurant and additional academic offerings delivered through the Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
The partnership marks a significant step in aligning two leading Canadian institutions as they respond to growing demand for skilled professionals in the wine and agri-tourism sectors.
