The College of the Rockies and the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise have signed a new memorandum of understanding, renewing and expanding their longstanding collaboration to support training, workforce development, and innovation in B.C.’s outdoor recreation sector.
Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in the Kootenay region’s economy and communities, supporting local business, employment and community development. As the sector continues to grow and evolve, the renewed partnership between the College and KORE focuses on strengthening regional capacity through industry-aligned training, applied learning, and innovation that responds directly to the needs of outdoor recreation businesses.
“This agreement builds on a strong history of collaboration and reflects our shared commitment to supporting the outdoor recreation sector in our region,” said Michael Crowe, President, College of the Rockies. “By working closely with industry, we can help ensure learners and businesses have access to the skills, facilities, and expertise needed to support sustainable economic growth.”
Through the renewed MOU, the College and KORE will work together on initiatives that support workforce development, up-skilling opportunities, applied learning, and business development. This includes activities like industry events, knowledge exchange, and initiatives that strengthen regional capacity in areas like gear repair, advanced manufacturing, and product innovation.
College of the Rockies brings established expertise in outdoor recreation and adventure-based training to the partnership. For more than three decades the College has delivered Mountain Adventure Skills Training and Adventure Tourism Business Operations programs, supporting learners and industry in a sector that is central to the Kootenay region’s economy and identity. These programs, alongside other applied learning and technical training initiatives, provide a strong foundation for expanded collaboration with industry.
KORE brings together a vibrant network of outdoor recreation businesses, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from across the province and beyond. This network plays a critical role in shaping industry needs and ensuring training and innovation efforts remain closely aligned with real-world demands.
“KORE Outdoors has led the way in rural economic development in the outdoor industry,” said Matt Mosteller, KORE’s Board Chair. “The renewed partnership with College of the Rockies keeps us moving toward our goal of making the Kootenays the epicentre of innovation, sustainability, and repair in the outdoor rec-tech industry, including training and workforce development.”
While rooted in the East Kootenay region, the partnership also aligns with the broader outdoor recreation sector in British Columbia, which continues to play a vital role in the province’s economy, directly contributing $4.8 billion to B.C.’s economy in 2023. 
About College of the Rockies
For 50 years, College of the Rockies has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and aspirations of the people, industries, and businesses of our region. All our campuses are located on the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa people, which is also home to the Kinbasket people. We value our relationships with the four Ktunaxa bands, the Shuswap band, and the Kootenay Regional Office of the Métis Nation, BC. Each year, thousands of full-time and part-time students join us in a full range of programs, including skilled trades, university arts and sciences, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism, hospitality, recreation, fire services, continuing education, and contract training. Through smaller class sizes, highly personalized instruction and dedicated support services, our students are primed to succeed in the job market, or in the next stage of their academic journey. Learn more about College of the Rockies at: cotr.bc.ca.
About KORE
KORE is an economic development and diversification initiative managed by the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Society located in Kimberley, British Columbia. It is an industry alliance of outdoor recreation gear manufacturers and designers in the Kootenays and has brought together a network of 80+ craft gear makers and designers who have organically started up production manufacturing and designing in the region. KORE’s mission is to foster growth within the alliance through education, collaboration and connecting businesses to resources, grants, financing and capital, and to attract outdoor recreation product manufacturing and designers into the region to relocate or facilitate new entrepreneurial start-ups. KORE also advances circular design in the outdoor industry by helping makers and brands build durability, repairability, and end-of-life considerations into products from the start. Through its gear repair and reuse initiatives, KORE brings repair services and education into communities, reducing waste and keeping outdoor gear in use longer across the Kootenays.