The Aviation Skills Grant is being cleared for take-off and is helping to further position Alberta as Canada's biggest aviation hub. 

Alberta's aviation industry is experiencing massive growth which results in a critical need for highly skilled workers and with De Havilland Canada's aircraft manufacturing facility coming to Wheatland County, this grant is what the province needs to thrive in the aviation sector. 

The grant program is designed to address the increasing demand for skilled aviation professionals in Alberta by empowering aviation organizations to help Albertans develop needed skills and talents.

The Aviation Skills Grant is a component of Alberta at Work, a multi-year provincial investment exceeding $700 million, dedicated to helping Albertans develop new skills and advance their careers, which supports Alberta's current and future economy.

Each grant recipient can receive up to $30,000 per trainee. Applications for the second intake of the program will be open until December 13. 

Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Trade, Matt Jones, says that Alberta is fast becoming a destination for Aviation excellence. 

"Removing barriers to the growth and development of Alberta's airports, increasing our province’s economic competitiveness, and reducing labour shortages are key parts of my mandate."

Jones explains that the Aviation Skills Grant funding will support this by propelling Alberta’s aviation employers to equip their workers with essential skills.”

The grant is backed by  $10 million in total funding for 2023-24 and 2024-25, and it is designed to support the province's aerospace sector, fostering economic expansion and diversification across Alberta. 

Eligible grant recipients include small, medium- and large-sized employers that represent air transportation, flight schools, and aircraft maintenance businesses across Alberta.

Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen, says that this type of investment is a  strategic move for Alberta's economic development. 

" As a landlocked province, our commitment to the aviation sector, including initiatives like the Aviation Skills Grant, creates pathways to new economic frontiers, enhances market access and fuels local employment." 

Lynx Air CEO, Jim Sullivan, says that the Aviation Skills Grant embodies our shared ambition to reach new heights.

"This initiative strengthens our ability to discover and nurture extraordinary talent, setting the stage for aviation to ascend to unprecedented levels in the years to come. We are immensely grateful to the Government of Alberta for their steadfast dedication to strategically investing in our sector."

Sullivan leaves off by saying that with the support directed towards flight crew, cabin crew, and our operations team training, not only will our industry flourish, but the wider domains of aviation and tourism will also experience significant growth, reinforcing their importance as pivotal economic drivers for the province.

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