Events

My time at Focus College was more than just an academic experience-it was a transformative chapter that shaped my path into community support work. I had the privilege of learning under two incredible instructors, Kelly and Alwin. Both brought passion and depth to their teaching, but it was Kelly who truly stood out. She didn't just teach from the textbook-she brought grassroots wisdom into the classroom, giving us a real-world understanding of the people we would be supporting. Her dedication ensured that every student received a practicum placement, and it was through her guidance that I found mine. Although I was the last in my class to secure a placement, I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. I was placed at PIERS (Partners in Resources), where Angie became another phenomenal mentor. Her hands-on approach and compassionate leadership helped me grow immensely. As my practicum ended, PIERS offered me a position, and I was thrilled to continue working with them-even if it was only for 12 hours a week. In a beautiful twist of fate, one of my classmates spoke highly of me to the manager at Premium Productions, where they had completed their own practicum. That recommendation led to an interview, and I was offered a position immediately. Though it was difficult to leave PIERS, needed to pursue a role that offered more hours and stability. I'll always be grateful for the foundation PIERS gave me and the incredible people who helped me along the way.   From classroom lessons to real-life impact, my journey has been guided by inspiring mentors and supportive peers. I'm proud to be a community support worker, and I carry the lessons of Focus College with me every day." __Stephanie Carter

The WorkBC in Abbotsford received Customer Service Training from Focus College during October 2025 which taught participants effective communication and problem-solving methods for delivering exceptional customer service in modern service-based environments. The training program taught participants to listen actively while showing empathy and resolve conflicts through professional communication methods. The training included practical activities which allowed participants to develop their skills for managing challenging customer situations that occur both face-to-face and through digital channels. The training session taught participants to develop their confidence while working as a team by maintaining composure and delivering solutions and respect during all customer interactions. The program concluded with participants showing enhanced communication abilities and better comprehension of how excellent service delivery affects customer happiness and organizational achievement. WorkBC and Focus College maintain their partnership to deliver career development programs and workforce readiness training and community-based education throughout British Columbia. The college maintains its dedication to teaching useful competencies which help people advance their careers and deliver exceptional service through its ongoing partnerships with organizations.

On Friday, October 31st, we celebrate the successful completion of Focus College’s Work Fluent Training Program, a six-week, hands-on program designed to prepare students for real-world professional success. Over the past weeks, participants have gained vital employability and communication skills to help them stand out in competitive workplaces. The program focused on developing strong English communication and grammar, professional writing (including resumes, cover letters, and email etiquette), and customer service excellence. Students also learned about workplace safety, digital collaboration tools like Zoom and LinkedIn, and interview preparation through simulated real-world scenarios.   Beyond technical skills, the Work Fluent Training Program emphasizes workplace culture, teamwork, problem-solving, and digital professionalism, empowering students to confidently enter diverse industries with the skills, mindset, and confidence employers value. This program reflects Focus College’s commitment to career-focused education, where every learner develops not just academic knowledge but practical, future-ready skills that lead to success in today’s evolving job market.

Focus College received the Marketing Excellence Award 2025 for Inclusive Marketing which demonstrates our institutional growth and educational leadership in British Columbia. Our organization competed against major provincial leaders including Metropolis at Metrotown, UBC, TransLink, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Fortis BC, ICBC and Creator.co and Tourism Richmond and Colliers and Audain Art Museum and WILL for this year’s finalist position. Our strategy and execution quality and digital performance and measurable outcomes for diverse communities led to our victory against these established brands. The BC Chapter of the American Marketing Association judges assessed our marketing strategy and execution quality and digital performance and measurable outcomes which demonstrated our impact on various community groups. The recognition from the judges proves Focus College has moved beyond basic participation in BC education to create a new standard for modern inclusive education marketing. Dr. Dana Bina presented a statement at the event which expressed the essence of this achievement: The modern world bases its influence on three essential factors which include being relevant and innovative and building authentic relationships with people. Our marketing approach follows the same principles as our educational methods by using human-focused data-driven strategies for future-oriented success. The award represents a broader mission which focuses on transforming educational community interactions throughout British Columbia and Canada. The President and Vice President of Focus College deserve our appreciation because they supported innovative concepts and enabled progressive marketing approaches. Our organization’s progress depends on their leadership. The Focus College team members receive this award as their collective achievement. Their combined skills and commitment and innovative thinking converted strategic plans into actual results. The achievement marks a significant achievement but it marks the beginning of FC new journey. Focus College has only begun its journey.

Keeping Our Community Safe, One Plate at a Time Focus College proudly hosted the Food Handler Safety Training event this November 2025 at our Abbotsford campus. The Food Handler Safety Training program at Focus College provides an interactive learning experience for all food industry workers and future professionals in British Columbia. Food safety exists beyond being a legal requirement because it represents a fundamental duty of care. The training program provides participants who work in restaurants and cafes and food trucks and community kitchens and childcare centers with essential knowledge to maintain food safety standards and defend their customers' health. The training program receives recognition from BC public health authorities because it fulfills necessary provincial food handler training standards. The training program provides an interactive learning experience that delivers simple content to help students achieve their success Students who finish the course must move to the government website to take their official final assessment. Students who succeed in the exam will obtain a Food Handler Certificate which serves as proof of their competence for five years and enhances their job prospects and professional credibility. The program teaches students to develop essential skills which include: Prevent food-borne illnesses Meet regulatory food requirements Enhance workplace safety Increase customer confidence Prevent cross-contamination  Understand the importance of person hygiene to prevent contamination Understand the importance of regular cleaning and sanitizing equipment, surfaces, and utensils The training program at Focus college enables students to develop food safety awareness which makes them dependable workers in all food service environments. The program schedule along with enrollment procedures and additional training sessions will be announced in the future. The program enables you to develop your skills while making yourself more attractive to employers while safeguarding our community through safe food preparation.

Today, we proudly celebrate the conclusion of our Work Fluent Training Program at Focus College. Over the past six weeks, students took part in an intensive, hands-on learning experience focused on building real-world workplace readiness. Due to the Christmas holiday season, afternoon classes concluded slightly earlier than planned, allowing students and staff to transition smoothly into the year-end break while still completing all core learning outcomes. Throughout the program, students developed essential workplace skills, including professional communication and grammar, resume and cover letter writing, customer service best practices, workplace safety awareness, and the effective use of digital tools such as Zoom and LinkedIn. The training also emphasized interview preparation, workplace culture, teamwork, and digital etiquette, key competencies needed to succeed in today’s professional environments. This program was designed to be practical, career-focused, and immediately applicable. By the end of the six weeks, students gained greater confidence, clarity, and fluency in navigating modern workplaces. We congratulate all participants on their dedication and progress and wish them continued success as they move forward in their career journeys. More programs and upcoming intakes will be announced soon.

January 2026 Focus College is proud to announce a series of leadership appointments and internal advancements, effective January 2026. These changes reflect our continued commitment to academic excellence, operational strength, global engagement, and, most importantly, an elevated student experience. Please join us in congratulating the following Focus family members on their well-deserved promotions: Umar Durrani – Vice President, Global Engagement & Partnerships Dr. Sandeep Sandhu – Vice President, Admissions and Registrar Gaylyne Archibald – Director, Academic Administration Syed Hasnain Ali – Director, Operations and HR These appointments strengthen our leadership framework and position Focus College for sustainable growth, deeper partnerships, and enhanced institutional effectiveness.   Student Experience Comes First: Introducing Student Affairs To further enhance the student journey, Focus College has combined Student Services and Student Engagement into a unified Student Affairs department. This strategic move is designed to streamline support, improve coordination, and deliver a more holistic, student-centered experience from enrollment to graduation. The Student Affairs team will be led by: Prabhsharan Kaur – Student Affairs Lead Kayla Tso – Student Affairs Coordinator Arvind Kaur – Student Affairs Coordinator This integrated approach ensures our students receive consistent, responsive, and meaningful support, academically, socially, and professionally. As we move into 2026, these leadership updates mark an important step forward in Focus College’s evolution. We’re building stronger teams, clearer pathways, and a future-ready institution, together.   Your Future... Our Focus

Food Handler Safety Training is an engaging, hands-on course that meets British Columbia food handler training requirements. The training was delivered at WorkBC Abbotsford on January 27, 2026, and is designed for anyone who prepares, handles, or serves food in a professional setting. Certification details: After completing the course, students will complete the final exam later through the government website. Upon successful completion, they receive a Food Handler Certificate that is valid for 5 years and recognized by public health authorities across British Columbia. By the end of the program, students can demonstrate the ability to: Prevent food-borne illness through safe handling practices Comply with BC food safety regulations and standards Improve workplace safety and reduce contamination risks Increase customer confidence through safe food service Prevent cross-contamination between food, surfaces, and utensils Apply proper personal hygiene to avoid contamination Maintain regular cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and food-contact surfaces For more information about food safety training please make a call (778) 624-2010

Focus College joined the Central Okanagan Career & Education Expo 2026 at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna, and the place was buzzing. With 45+ exhibitors in the room, attendees got a real snapshot of what employers are hiring for right now, plus info on career programs and opportunities to start (or level up) their education through post-secondary options. At our booth, the top fan-favorites were Community Support Worker, Virtual Assistant, and Bylaw Enforcement Level 1 & 2, lots of great convos with people exploring practical, job-ready pathways. Big thanks to Black Press for running a well-organized event, and to everyone who stopped by to connect with our team.

We held a two-day Customer Service Training on February 17–18, 2026 at the Abbotsford Centre, led by Prabhsharan Kaur from Focus College. The training was all about practical communication skills for great customer service, both in person and online. Learners worked on how to speak clearly and professionally, build quick rapport, stay positive, and handle everyday customer situations. We also covered how to respond to questions efficiently, manage complaints, and deal with conflict in a calm, respectful way. It wasn’t a “sit and listen” session. Participants jumped into group discussions, role-plays, and real-life scenarios that felt like actual workplace situations. This gave them a chance to practice active listening, empathy, problem-solving, and professional tone in a supportive environment. Everyone stayed engaged and brought strong energy, sharing ideas, asking smart questions, and working well as a team. We also spent time on one of the toughest parts of customer service: handling upset or difficult customers. Learners practiced how to stay calm under pressure, de-escalate tense moments, and offer solutions that keep things moving in a positive direction. We also highlighted how important teamwork, cultural awareness, and flexibility are when working with people from different backgrounds. Overall, the session was informative, hands-on, and confidence-boosting. Learners left with stronger communication skills and a clearer sense of how to deliver a solid customer experience in a real workplace.