Events

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.  

Food Handler Safety Training is a practical, hands-on course that meets British Columbia’s food handler training requirements. This session was delivered at Mission in late February 26, 2026 and is ideal for anyone who prepares, handles, or serves food in a professional setting. Certification details: After finishing the in-class training, participants complete the final exam online through the government website. Once they pass, they receive an official Food Handler Certificate that’s valid for 5 years and recognized by public health authorities across British Columbia. By the end of the training, participants can confidently: Reduce the risk of food-borne illness through safe food handling Follow BC food safety regulations and workplace standards Prevent contamination and cross-contamination (food, surfaces, and utensils) Practice proper personal hygiene to keep food safe Maintain effective cleaning and sanitizing routines for equipment and food-contact areas Strengthen customer confidence through safer food service For details or upcoming sessions, call (778) 624-2010 or visit focuscollege.com

Today, Focus College proudly celebrates the successful completion of the Work Fluent Training ESL Program for our January cohort. Over the past six weeks, students participated in a hands-on learning experience designed to build practical workplace communication and career readiness skills. Throughout the program, students strengthened their English communication and grammar, while also developing essential professional skills such as resume and cover letter writing, workplace communication, and customer service practices. The training focused on real-world scenarios to help students confidently navigate professional environments. Participants also explored important workplace topics including Canadian workplace culture, teamwork, workplace safety, and professional etiquette. Interactive sessions allowed students to practice interview scenarios, helping them build confidence and improve their ability to present themselves to employers. Recognizing the growing importance of digital fluency, students were introduced to professional tools such as Zoom for virtual collaboration and LinkedIn for career networking, while also learning about digital communication and online professionalism. The Work Fluent Training ESL Program is designed to be practical, career-focused, and immediately applicable. By the end of the six-week journey, students gained stronger communication skills, greater workplace confidence, and the tools needed to succeed in modern professional environments. Focus College congratulates the January cohort on their dedication and achievements and looks forward to supporting their continued career journeys.

https://youtu.be/-sQxAnjRhUc?si=Rx1RNiOO_OOOc1zR On March 6, 2026, Focus College proudly participated as a Supporting Sponsor of the BC Premier David Eby’s Economic Update, hosted by the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel. Following the release of the provincial budget, the event, presented by BM Group and the Port of Vancouver, brought together business leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders for an exclusive post-budget discussion on British Columbia’s economic outlook. During the session, David Eby shared insights into the Province’s fiscal priorities and highlighted how recent budget decisions may impact businesses, workers, and communities, particularly in fast-growing regions such as Surrey and White Rock. The Premier acknowledged that British Columbians are navigating “a different kind of time,” with families and businesses facing rising costs and economic uncertainty. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector to create a stable and predictable environment for economic growth. The discussion highlighted several major provincial investments in the region, including the development of the Cloverdale Hospital, the Surrey–Langley SkyTrain Extension, expanded student spaces, and upgrades to the Peace Arch Hospital, investments aimed at supporting one of the fastest-growing regions in British Columbia. Premier Eby also discussed strategies to strengthen B.C.’s economy, including encouraging private sector investment, accelerating permitting processes, expanding global trade opportunities, and advancing major projects in sectors such as mining, LNG, and critical minerals. Ongoing efforts to improve public safety through additional police resources and justice system reforms were also addressed. As a Supporting Sponsor, Focus College was honoured to be part of this important dialogue on the province’s economic future. The event provided a valuable opportunity for leaders across education, business, and government to connect and explore how collaboration can help build a stronger and more resilient economy for British Columbia. Ref: https://swrbot.com/events/bc-premier-david-ebys-economic-update/        

Focus College successfully hosted a Food Handler Training session on March 21, 2026, at the Surrey campus, led by Arvind Kaur. The session was designed to equip students with essential knowledge and practical skills in safe food handling, personal hygiene, sanitation standards, and food safety regulations. Throughout the training, students showed strong interest and active participation. They engaged in discussions, asked thoughtful questions, and took part in the learning activities with enthusiasm. This high level of interaction reflected their commitment to understanding the importance of food safety in real-world settings. The session focused on helping students build a solid foundation in key food handling practices that are important across many workplaces, especially in hospitality, food service, caregiving, and community-based roles. By combining practical guidance with industry-relevant knowledge, the training gave students a clear understanding of how proper food safety practices help protect health and maintain professional standards. Overall, the Food Handler Training was both informative and impactful, offering students a valuable hands-on learning experience at Focus College. Sessions like this reflect Focus College’s commitment to providing career-focused education that prepares students with practical, job-ready skills for today’s workforce.

We are happy to celebrate the completion of our Work Fluent Training, ESL Program for the January cohort, held from February 17 to March 30, 2026. Over the past six weeks, students built practical workplace English skills to help them feel more confident in professional settings. The program covered communication and grammar, resume and cover letter writing, interview practice, workplace culture, teamwork, digital etiquette, and an introduction to the Canadian labour code. This program was designed to be hands-on, supportive, and career-focused. By the end of the training, students gained more confidence, stronger communication skills, and a better understanding of how to succeed in today’s workplace.