Alberta’s aviation industry is growing, with recent investments or expansions from companies including De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., WestJet, Condor, Lynx Air, Flair Airlines, and Porter Airlines. Because of this rapid growth, the aviation industry is experiencing challenges filling positions.
To help address critical labour shortages, Alberta’s government launched Alberta at Work and this funding is part of that initiative. The new funding will open seats in Elevate Aviation’s programs. Through this investment, Elevate Aviation will prepare more Albertans for high-demand jobs, including aircraft maintenance, ground crew, drone operations and air traffic control.
“Alberta is well-positioned to be Canada’s next aviation hub. By fostering the development of the infrastructure and workforce our province needs, we are opening the doors to the world. Elevate was an obvious partner to help Albertans to grow in their careers and to support the growth, diversity and vitality of the aviation industry in our province.” Brian Jean, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development
“This partnership between Alberta’s government and Elevate Aviation will create more opportunities for Alberta’s women to grow in their careers and support the growth, diversity and vitality of the aviation industry in our province.”Tanya Fir, parliamentary secretary for Status of Women
The Elevate Aviation Learning Centre has a successful track record of preparing women for a career in aviation through their nine-week Women’s Employment Skills Training (WEST) program and Elevate U skills training options. Elevate works closely with aviation and aerospace companies to help trainees secure employment and prepare for meaningful careers. The grant to Elevate Aviation will be open to all applicants but will focus on recruiting women and underrepresented groups for an aviation career.
“This funding is going to have a great impact on the future of the aviation and aerospace industry. Not only will it improve our ability to provide innovative training opportunities for today’s aviation workers, it will also support the future of the industry by promoting the aviation sector as an appealing and rewarding career choice for all genders and diverse groups.”Kendra Kincade, president and CEO, Elevate Aviation
Alberta’s government is making strategic investments to enable further growth in the province’s aviation industry. Budget 2023 includes $30 million to support the Red Deer Regional Airport expansion. Support for community airports is also available through the Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program which allocates $92.3 million in funding over three years. Alberta’s aviation infrastructure is growing to keep up with demand.
In addition to these infrastructure investments, Alberta’s government has invested $11 million over the next three years into training more workers for the aviation industry through Advanced Education. A total of $6 million will support Mount Royal University’s establishment of 120 seats over four years in their new bachelor of aviation management program; $4.5 million will be invested into $10,000 student bursaries; and a further $500,000 will support an aviation centre of excellence.
Budget 2023 secures Alberta’s future by transforming the health-care system to meet people’s needs, supporting Albertans with the high cost of living, keeping our communities safe and driving the economy with more jobs, quality education and continued diversification.
Quick facts
- Alberta at Work is a $700 million multi-year investment to help Albertans develop new skills and grow their careers.
- Elevate Aviation is an established not-for-profit training provider within the aviation industry that provides skills development and career exploration services for women at their training centres.
- The grant term will start in 2022-2023 and end in 2024-2025.
- Training courses delivered under the grant will help prepare trainees for work in aircraft maintenance, ground crew, drone operations and air traffic control.
