With more than two decades of experience under his tool belt, a local construction business owner and Okanagan College alumnus is giving back to support future tradespeople.

John Bachelder, owner of Bachelder Construction Ltd., has pledged $20,000 toward the Bright Horizons Building for Skills Campaign in support of the new Trades Training Complex at Okanagan College.

害羞草研究所淭his is an incredible facility that really honours tradespeople,害羞草研究所� said  Bachelder. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 excited to be a part of that. I imagine students are going to feel very proud to learn here and proud of the career path they害羞草研究所檝e chosen.害羞草研究所�

Bachelder moved to the Okanagan in 1970 when he was just 14-years-old, and says the trades have always been an important part of his life from an early age. He studied Commercial Transport at the college in 1985 before going into the construction business in 1993.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been around the housing industry for most of my life,害羞草研究所� said Bachelder. 害羞草研究所淎nd there has always been the challenge of finding enough skilled people. We need to stay ahead of the curve and that begins with supporting and encouraging the next generation of tradespeople.害羞草研究所�

Among that next generation is Bachelder害羞草研究所檚 son Brady, who also trained at Okanagan College害羞草研究所攅arning Red Seals in Carpentry and Welding害羞草研究所攁nd has gone on to be very successful right out of school.

害羞草研究所淭he trades are becoming increasingly technical, which is why education and training is so important,害羞草研究所� noted Bachelder.

His wife Cynthia and daughter Anna-Leigh are also College alumni, having completed the early childhood education and human service work diploma programs in recent years.

In addition to his philanthropic activity with the college, Bachelder is also a member of the Kelowna chapter of 100 Men Who Give a Damn.

害羞草研究所淚 like to support things that tug on the heart strings a little, and we害羞草研究所檙e lucky to have a place like the College in the region, it creates a lot of opportunities for students.害羞草研究所�

Okanagan College recently completed construction on its new and expanded trades training complex害羞草研究所攁 $33-million project. More than $6.2 million has been raised from local industry and individuals, to top up the province害羞草研究所檚 $28-million investment. The fundraising campaign goal is $7 million, which includes $5 million for capital construction and $2 million for program and student support. An official grand opening is being planned for the fall.

According to Bachelder, becoming a donor has afforded him the chance to build a stronger connection with the College and to others in his industry who have supported the recent trades expansion project.

Bachelder reconnected with his alma mater during a dinner hosted by two of his fellow home builders Lambert Schmalz and Gord Wilson. Both men have contributed to the fundraising campaign for the project and have invited other builders to support their future workforce.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been great reconnecting with the college, and meeting with others in the industry to hear what they害羞草研究所檙e doing to support the next generation. It害羞草研究所檚 great to see that there is a growing number of us who believe in supporting the future of our industry.害羞草研究所�

As a sector, local homebuilders have contributed more than $500,000 to the project.

害羞草研究所淲e greatly appreciate the support our local homebuilders have shown for the project,害羞草研究所� said Steve Moores, the college害羞草研究所檚 dean of trades and apprenticeship. 害羞草研究所淭his gift from John Bachelder is very generous, and once again demonstrates for our students that local employers value the training being offered at the College."

More information about the new building, the fundraising campaign and opportunities to get involved is available at .