Lake Country’s Voyager RV has donated $30,000 to support the construction of a student space at Okanagan College’s trades training complex in Kelowna.
“We jumped at the chance to be part of building a facility that will make students proud and excited to learn their trade,” said Jason Friesen, Voyager’s vice-president.
“I think the college is doing wonderful work to remind people that there are bright futures in the trades. Tradespeople are vital to so many businesses like ours in the Okanagan and all over the province.”
A completely renovated, state-of-the-art 6,302 square-foot RV shop is now in operation.
The entire new complex is slated to open doors to students by the end of March and will provide the college with room to train more than 2,600 students each year.
“Support from industry and the community has helped make this building a reality,” said Steve Moors, dean of trades and apprenticeship.
Friesen says the demand for RV technicians remains strong.
“Every year, we keep adding technicians who have gone through the college’s RV program,” he said.
“We’ll be relying on these graduates for our workforce for the future as our business continues to expand.”
Voyager RV started in 1984 and it employs 45 to 50 people depending on the season.
The Okanagan College Foundation is currently raising $7 million for the trades complex.