Photo: Contributed

Jim Hamilton; Okanagan College President, Brian Postill; third generation R.E. Postill & Sons Owner, Linsey Johannson, Jamie Johannson, Braden Nixon and Mike Tindall.

Two Vernon businesses with deep roots in the community are paying it forward to the next generation of 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.

“It’s really important to support the community that has been supporting us for 75 years,” said Linsey.

Braden adds the Vernon Trades Training Centre is something the owners knew they wanted to support.

“We work in trades, and we know the value of having skilled trades people,” said 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.”

Michael Tindall, chairperson of the Okanagan College Foundation’s Bright Horizons Building for Skills Campaign, said they are grateful for this gift from two Vernon families and companies.

“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,” said Tindall.

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 which the Province is investing $2.9 million and the government of Canada is providing $2.7 million.

The Okanagan College Foundation set a fundraising goal of $1 million to cover the remaining capital costs and will provide program and student bursaries and scholarships that will increase access to training.