Longstanding businesses provide major gift to Vernon Trades Centre
Two Vernon businesses with deep roots in the community are providing a strong foundation for the next generation of skilled trade workers training at Okanagan College.
R.E. Postill & Sons Ltd. and Postill Nixon Earthworks together are donating $25,000 to the new Trades Centre currently under construction at the College’s Vernon campus.
The owners of the second- and fourth-generation family businesses have operated companies in Vernon for nearly 120 years.
Linsey and Jamie Johannson are the owners of R.E. Postill & Sons Ltd. and co-own Postill Nixon Earthworks with Braden Nixon. Linsey is the great granddaughter of Russell Eugene Postill, who founded R.E. Postill in 1944.
Braden's father, Paul Nixon, was involved in the development of the law firm now known as Nixon Wenger in 1975.
According to Linsey, giving back to the community has always been valued by her family and their businesses.
“It’s really important to support the community that has been supporting us for 75 years,” says Linsey.
Braden adds that investing in the Vernon Trades Training Centre was something the owners knew they wanted to support.
“We work in trades, and we know the value of having skilled trades people,” says Braden. “This state-of-the-art Centre will provide an opportunity for young people to get a quality education locally without having to move away, saving them money and making education more accessible.”
“We’re grateful for this generous gift from two Vernon families and companies whose contributions to the region span decades and industries,” says Michael Tindall, Chair of the Okanagan College Foundation’s Bright Horizons Building for Skills Campaign.
“Because of their support, and many others like them, we’re now $60,000 from our campaign goal. The community of Vernon is showing young people that we want to invest in their future while also creating an economic boom for the region by increasing the number of skilled trades people available locally.”
The $6.2 million Trades Centre will have the capacity to train approximately 150 students per year.
The project is being supported through the federal government’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. Through this fund, the province of B.C. is investing $2.9 million and the government of Canada has provided $2.7 million toward the new Centre.
The Okanagan College Foundation set a fundraising goal of $1 million. The funds cover the remaining capital costs and will provide program and student bursaries and scholarships that will increase access to training.
More information about the new Trades Training Centre and fundraising campaign is available at okanagan.bc.ca/campaign.
TOP STORIES
RELATED STORIES
Sign up for weekly stories
Meet Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores
April 4, 2023
Q: What's your name? A: Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores Q: What's your hometown? A: Quito – Ecuador – South America Q: How did you end up at Okanagan College? A: Well, I studied for a bachelor's degree in Law in Ecuador. Then, I worked for a while and got my Master's degree in Government and Culture of Organizations at the University of Pamplona. When I returned to my country, professional opportunities arose for me. I mean, a Master's degree improved my career. Spain helped ...
Read more...Artistic students design future careers in animation
June 7, 2022
Grads of Okanagan College’s Animation Diploma program are finding their skills have never been in higher demand. First- and second-year students showed samples of their artwork and demo reels to industry partners at OC’s annual Animation Industry Night on May 17. “Lots of the work was very professional,” says James Wood, Chair of Okanagan College’s Animation Department. “Our program is short, but intense. The instructors make sure the students have a realistic understanding of what they need do to succeed in a competitive and demanding...
Read more...OC Business students embrace international study again
May 30, 2022
Business students from Okanagan College are once again able to travel to Jyväskylä, Finland to experience an international summer school at the JAMK University of Applied Sciences. Finland’s education system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. OC Business Professor Blair Baldwin, who has taught Services Design at JAMK for several summers, says working in Finland has helped him innovate and create new teaching methodologies. “JAMK employs experiential learning across its curriculum,” he says. “They stress cri...
Read more...Enactus Okanagan College tops the field, sets sights on national championships
May 27, 2022
Okanagan College students will once again be competing for the Canadian title after qualifying for the Enactus National Exposition with a first-place finish in their league during the semi-final round. Enactus teams at post-secondary institutions across Canada competed virtually earlier this month, and Okanagan College scooped up top position in the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, and runner-up in the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge for the Unusually Good Food Co. project. It also included national runner-up in Shaw and RBC accelerator...
Read more...