Okanagan College has passed its largest ever operating budget.

The 2019-20 budget, passed by the board on Tuesday, comes to $121.7 million.

It includes funding for more than 17 full-time equivalent faculty members and more than 16 support staff.

Chris Derickson, chair of the Board of Governors at the college, said the institution’s growth is “encouraging”.

He added: “The college is an important economic engine in the communities we serve – something that is driven home by the fact that $88 million of the $121.7 million budget is wages that we pay.”

Photo credit: Okanagan College

The new budget will also fund more counselling services for students in Salmon Arm and Penticton as well as an immigration consultant and cultural liaison workers at Penticton and Vernon.

A tourism management diploma in Revelstoke and programs in collision repair and auto services are likewise included in the budget.

“It is a challenge to balance the budget against the opportunities that are presented by the various departments in the institution,” said Curtis Morcom, vice president of employee and corporate services.

“I was impressed by the scope of developments that were presented by the college departments through the budget process.

“What was clear was that our students and employees are interested in improving student services, broadening program offerings, and ensuring that Okanagan College is sustainable in the long-term.”