The Government of Alberta announced multi-millions for Alberta’s aviation industry, including one of the county’s largest airlines.
The province, through their Aviation Skills Grant, offered eligible firms up to $30,000 per employee to offset training costs for new and unfilled positions.
A total of $5,360,614 was given to 14 companies across Alberta, five of those in Calgary whom received the bulk of the funding at over $4 million. A total of 1,735 new and unfilled positions are expected to be funded through the grants.
The average funding per employee for grant recipients was $3,090.
“Funding delivered through the Aviation Skills Grant will help Alberta’s aviation employers access the skills and talent they need to grow their businesses and support vitality in the sector,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.
“Alberta’s aviation industry is soaring to new heights and the province is well on its way to becoming Canada’s next aviation hub.”
Lynx Air and WestJet were the largest recipients in Calgary, with the former receiving $300,000 to help train 310 employees, and the later $3,000,000 to help train 1,151 employees.
“This grant advances WestJet’s ability to harness and train top talent to take aviation to new heights in the coming years,” said Andy Gibbons, vice-president for external affairs, WestJet.
“We commend the Government of Alberta’s dedication to strategic investments in our industry that will support WestJet’s growth in the province and support the growth of aviation and tourism as an economic driver for Alberta.”
Applications for firms to receiving funding were accepted through April, with a second round of funding expected to open for applications in the fall.
