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.

鈥淭his is an incredible facility that really honours tradespeople,鈥� said  Bachelder. 鈥淚鈥檓 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鈥檝e chosen.鈥�

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.

鈥淚鈥檝e been around the housing industry for most of my life,鈥� said Bachelder. 鈥淎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.鈥�

Among that next generation is Bachelder鈥檚 son Brady, who also trained at Okanagan College鈥攅arning Red Seals in Carpentry and Welding鈥攁nd has gone on to be very successful right out of school.

鈥淭he trades are becoming increasingly technical, which is why education and training is so important,鈥� 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 琉璃神社 chapter of 100 Men Who Give a Damn.

鈥淚 like to support things that tug on the heart strings a little, and we鈥檙e lucky to have a place like the College in the region, it creates a lot of opportunities for students.鈥�

Okanagan College recently completed construction on its new and expanded trades training complex鈥攁 $33-million project. More than $6.2 million has been raised from local industry and individuals, to top up the province鈥檚 $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.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been great reconnecting with the college, and meeting with others in the industry to hear what they鈥檙e doing to support the next generation. It鈥檚 great to see that there is a growing number of us who believe in supporting the future of our industry.鈥�

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

鈥淲e greatly appreciate the support our local homebuilders have shown for the project,鈥� said Steve Moores, the college鈥檚 dean of trades and apprenticeship. 鈥淭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 .