13/01/2023 - Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Announces New Board Chair
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Melissa Louie was declared elected by acclamation as their new Board Chair, effective November 22, 2022.
Read full press release here
11/01/2022-Nicola Valley Institute of Technology President Ken Tourand Signs a 5-year Extension
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is excited to announce a 5-year contract ex-tension for President Ken Tourand. The NVIT Board of Governors has confirmed the new con-tract will see Tourand continue as President and CEO of NVIT until October 2027. “There is great work and opportunity ahead and NVIT and President Tourand will continue to strive to meet the post-secondary needs of Indigenous learners and communities throughout British Colum-bia”, said Board Chair Sashia Leung.
Merritt, BC 06/18/2021-Technical Safety BC invests in the next generation of safety leaders through a new Indigenous student bursary program
Administered by NVIT, with campuses in Merritt and Vancouver, this $12,000 in bursary funding will be awarded to three recipients of Indigenous ancestry who are enrolled in full-time studies to support learners in their education.... Read full press release here...
Merritt, BC 03/15/2021- NVIT announces return to face-to-face classes for Fall 2021 Earlier this week, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, provided information for B.C. public post-secondary institutions to guide planning for returning to face-to-face classes this Fall 2021.. Read full press release here...
Merritt, BC 03/09/2021- NVIT announces extended deadline for the Immediate Entrance Bursary The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) announces an EXTENDED deadline to August 16, 2021, for the Immediate Entrance Bursary for all Indigenous Grade 12 Graduates in BC. Read full press release here...
See our poster for the Immediate Entry Bursary Here
Merritt, BC 12/23/2015 - NVIT BOARD OF GOVERNORS ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR
The Board of Governors of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology is pleased to announce the recent election of Jamie Sterritt as the Board’s newest chair. Since Mr. Sterritt’s initial appointment by the Ministry of Advanced Education to the NVIT Board of Governors in 2014, he has been an engaged Board Member actively participating on the Audit Risk Management sub-committee of the Board.
Read full press release here....
Merritt, BC 08/20/2015 - ADULT BASIC EDUCATION REMAINS FREE AT NVIT
This September, most post-secondary institutions will begin charging those who have graduated high school tuition to upgrade their courses as a result of funding cuts from the provincial government. The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, however, recognizes the importance of removing barriers to adult basic education and has committed to keep these courses tuition-free. Read full press release here... Merritt, BC 08/18/2015 - NVIT RECEIVES DONATION FOR OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples has entered into an Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy funding agreement with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to provide funds for 15 Aboriginal students to go through NVIT’s Office Administration program at the school’s Merritt campus. Read full press release here...
Merritt, BC 07/02/15- ABORIGINAL LEADERSHIP COURSE AIMS TO CLOSE EDUCATION GAP
Aboriginals are the fastest growing segment of the Canadian population, according to statistics from the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. This trend is most pronounced in major cities where, in some cases, the Aboriginal population has more than doubled over the past 25 years. Read full press release here...
Merritt. BC 06/12/15-Learning Commons Project
NVIT's Learning Commons project was furnished this week, completing the renovation of the Library to a Learning Commons. The new space accommodates the many different types of learning that take place at our institute. The design accommodates for social gathering, collaboration and for individual learning.
The project got underway in January 2015 and was designed to include three study rooms, two with child spaces, a condensed book shelving system, a video conference room and removal of a wall to connect the Learning Commons with the Student Success Center. New carpet, paint and furniture have given the space a fresh updated look and feel.
Merritt. BC 04/17/15-Trades Building Update
With site preparation for the trades building complete, our Project Management firm, Sawchuk, is mobilizing to site this coming week (April 20, 2016). Irrigation is an added feature of the project, which will allow for landscaping in the court yard area. This will create some much needed useable outdoor space for campus events and general purpose use. The new trades training facility will accommodate our Electrical program (20 students), Plumbing program (20 students) and Residential Construction program (16 students). Delivery of the programs will rotate with one trades program offered per semester starting in January 2016.
Merritt. BC 10/31/14-New trades facility helps Aboriginal students get job-ready
As part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) will build a new trades training facility where Aboriginal students can receive training for jobs in the liquefied natural gas industry and other in-demand sectors. Read full story here...
Merritt, BC 05/01/14- NVIT offers free tuition to students who have grown up in the foster care system in British Columbia. British Columbia’s representative for children and youth, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, issued a challenge to post secondary institutions to grant free tuition to youth in care. The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is the first, and so far only, institute to take up the challenge and will now offer free tuition to students who have grown up in the foster care system in British Columbia. Read full story here.
Merritt, BC 01/15/14 - Highland Valley Copper Donates $25,000 The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology has received a donation of $25,000 from Highland Valley Copper as a part of that company’s newly established Community Investment Strategy, an initiative to build capacity and affect meaningful change within the community. Read full story here...
Merritt, BC 01/07/13 The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) will be offering its first ticketed trade course this semester. The 20-student Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Program starts on Feb. 3 at the Merritt campus. Read full story here... (from Merritt Herald)
Vancouver, BC 04/08/13 - FNFMB and NVIT Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Vancouver, BC 04/08/13 – At a ceremony held at NVIT’s Burnaby Campus the First Nations Financial Management Board (FNFMB) and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperative ventures between the two Aboriginal organizations. Ernie Daniels, CEO of the First Nations Finance Authority and Trenton Paul, Director of Policy and Law Review at the First Nations Tax Commission were on hand to witness the signing as well as representatives from FNFMB, NVIT and numerous NVIT Burnaby campus faculty, support staff and students. Read full article here
Merritt, BC 1/15/13 - New health-care assistant training seats in Hazelton, Nisga’a
VICTORIA – Future health professionals in northwest B.C. will benefit from additional student spaces in the Health Care Assistant Program at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT).
The program is currently underway in Hazelton and will begin this January in Nisga’a. Students will go on to complete their clinical placements in health-care facilities within the Northern Health Authority region.
The B.C. government is providing over $291,000 in one-time funding, allowing up to 30 full-time Aboriginal students to complete their training, with 15 seats in Hazelton and 15 seats in Nisga’a.
Read full article here.
Merritt, BC 12/21/12 - NVIT student has eyes on Australia;
For Nicola Valley Institute of Technology student Megan Fulcher, it’s not just graduation that 2013 has in store. The social work student will be going to Australia to complete her practicum on Jan. 1
Merritt, BC 12/21/12 - NVIT Student receives $3500 One World International Scholarship;
NVIT is proud to announce, Megan Fulcher has just received a $3500 One World International Scholarship sponsored by the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society allowing her to complete her Bachelor of Social Work practica studies in Perth, Australia with Communicare Inc.; a multi-cultural, community based organization using education to support and empower the communities it serves. She will be attaining information and developing tools and methods culturally relevant to the Australian, Aborigine and recent immigrant populations promoting the health and holistic well-being of all peoples. She will gain practical experience with individuals facing domestic violence and marginalization. The placement will provide her skills needed to empower people and communities to create change from a grassroots level in a culturally safe environment. She will learn how non-profit organizations function and how they integrate themselves into a different culture using non-oppressive and humble approaches. Congratulations Megan!
Merritt, BC 12/17/12 - NVIT student places 3rd in business contest;
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology student Tanisha Suzuki and her group was awarded third place in a national business competition in Ottawa last month. The Young Entrepreneur Symposium, hosted by the New Relationship Trust and Cree Nation Youth Council, included over 100 people who competed in the Delta Hotel ballroom.
Merritt, BC 12/12/12 - NVIT student thrives in poetry;
For NVIT student Helen Knott, the transition to Merritt in September from her hometown of Fort St. John has been smooth. “I prefer this to living in a larger place because I’m from a small town too,” Knott, 24, said. “I find that I’m slowly gaining a sense of community too, which I like. I like that you can go places and see the same faces here and there.”
Merritt, BC 11/20/12 – NVIT Welcomes Newest Board Members:
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Governors. Charlene Taylor and Harry Nyce, Jr. were both appointed as BC Aboriginal members-at-large by the Province of BC. Angela Wesley, Board Chair was re-elected for another one-year term at the November Board of Governors meeting.
MERRITT- 08/04/2012 'Investing in Safety': Students at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology will benefit from improved and upgraded campus facilities, thanks to $47,000 in capital funding that is part of government’s investment in B.C.’s post-secondary infrastructure this year. Ken Tourand, president, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology — "The safety of students, staff, and visitors on campus is always a priority for NVIT. We are pleased that the funding provided has allowed the institute to construct defined walkways that increase accessibility and safety between the main building, parking area, and NVIT’s student residences. These walkways were a much needed enhancement to the Merritt campus, and we are grateful that the Ministry saw on-campus safety as a priority as well." Read full story here.
Merritt 05/18/2012 Bridging to Trades opens doors for First Nations workers. Read full story here.
Merritt 05/15/2012 Two members of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology staff have been recognized for their efforts to create a “culture of inclusion.” Read the full story here.
Vancouver 05/10/2012 The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology will had its fourth graduation ceremony at the NVIT Vancouver campus on May 10, 2012. Over 70 students graduated from programs in: Chemical Addictions, First Nation Speech and Language, Social Work and Associate of Arts. Merritt 11/21/2011 Local Lower Nicola Indian Band Member and NVIT Instructor Sharon McIvor shown here with Canada's Governor General after being presented with GG Person's Award for her 30-year lobby for equality for aboriginal women in Canada. Sharon just arrived back from New York where she provided information to the UN Rapporteur studying violence against women. She discussed the need for UN intervention to report on Canada's 650+ missing and murdered aboriginal women. Read more
In addition Sharon received the ACCC Teaching Excellence Award over the summer. The award honours an individual faculty member who has exhibited consistent excellence in teaching and has has a significant impact on the personal and academic growth of students. The nominee must be a current faculty member who exhibited both excellence and innovation.
Fall 2011 courses taught by Sharon McIvor include: CRIM 135 - Intro to Canadaian Law, INST 270 - Aboriginal Title and Modern Treaties, POLI 111 - Canadian Government and Politics, SOCI 111 - Introduction to Sociology
Merritt 09/15/11 NVIT is one of ten colleges/universities participating in the U-pass BC program. The program saves students between $50-$120 each month in transit fares. See two separate stories on this topic at these links:
Merritt, 07/06/11 NVIT Bridging to Trades program bridges gap for students from Saulteau First Nation near Chetwynd, BC.
Sharon McIvor, instructor from NVIT, main leader in the famous McIvor case was asked to be a speaker at the Queens University this fall. While there, Sharon also opened as a keynote speaker for the 'Feminist Speaker Series'. Thousands of women and families alike have been affected positively by the McIvor case. Look for more information on Sharon on the APTN website or watch for the upcoming filming coming from First Voices (you'll also catch a glimpse of NVIT in the background).