An alumnus with a connection to Okanagan College that spans more than five decades has made a gift to inspire the next generation of tradespeople who will follow in his footsteps.
Lambert Schmalz, owner of Lambert & Paul Construction Ltd., has pledged $50,000 toward the Bright Horizons campaign in support of the new Trades Training Complex at the college害羞草研究所檚 Kelowna campus.
The three-storey tower opened to students in April, as part of an overall $33-million, 10,000 sq. metre renovation and expansion project.
害羞草研究所淭he college and this region are very dear to me,害羞草研究所� said Schmalz, who was born in Germany and immigrated to Canada in 1956 after completing his training as a journeyperson carpenter. 害羞草研究所淚 am proud to support the place where our future tradespeople will train.害羞草研究所�
At that time, there were only 9,600 people in Kelowna and very few residential or commercial builders. He said the opening of the college (then BC Vocational School) in 1963, helped spark the growth of the construction industry in the years that followed, and was critical in developing a culture of apprenticeship in the valley.
害羞草研究所淗aving come up through the European system of apprenticeship which has been going strong for hundreds of years, I was surprised by how little apprenticeship there was in the valley when I arrived,害羞草研究所� said Schmalz. 害羞草研究所淚 am pleased with the progress that has been made to change that over time, and the college has played a big role in that development.害羞草研究所�
Schmalz害羞草研究所檚 involvement with Okanagan college has taken many forms over the years. As a student, he took business courses in the mid-1960s, adding bookkeeping, drafting and estimating to the skills he learned as a journeyman carpenter travelling Europe. He also served on the Program Advisory Board for the carpentry program for more than a decade beginning in the 1970s.
In 2004 Okanagan University College conferred upon Schmalz an honourary doctorate, in recognition of his long-term involvement.
害羞草研究所淟ambert has been a dedicated champion and supporter of the college for many years,害羞草研究所� said Okanagan College president Jim Hamilton. 害羞草研究所淲e deeply appreciate his significant contributions to our institution and his dedication to advancing apprenticeship in the Okanagan.害羞草研究所�
In addition to founding multiple contracting companies, Schmalz was also a founding member of the Okanagan chapter of the Canadian Home Builders害羞草研究所� Association (CHBA), a professional organization that promotes affordability and choice in the residential construction industry.
Individuals and businesses from the construction sector have contributed more than $500,000 to the Bright Horizons campaign to date. Schmalz recently challenged the valley害羞草研究所檚 builders to reach the $1-million mark.
害羞草研究所淭hese tradespeople are our future work force,害羞草研究所� said Schmalz. 害羞草研究所淚f we don害羞草研究所檛 support them, who will?害羞草研究所�
It is a message echoed by Schmalz害羞草研究所� friend and colleague Gord Wilson. Wilson, owner of Team Construction, has also stepped forward with $50,000 for the campaign.
A grand opening celebration for the college害羞草研究所檚 new Trades Training Complex is being planned for September. The three-year capital construction project rejuvenated existing spaces to match the same sustainability standards of the new tower, which is targeting LEED Platinum, net-zero energy usage, and carbon-neutrality. The complex will allow the college to train more than 2,700 students per year in Kelowna.
The Okanagan College Foundation is aiming to raise an additional $5-million for capital construction and $2-million for program and student support, to top up the provincial government害羞草研究所檚 $28-million investment.
To learn more about the campaign and opportunities to get involved, visit .
