Today in Edmonton, Minister Ambrose announced a contribution of more than $4.2 by the Government of Canada to the NAIT-Shell Manufacturing Centre to expand NAIT’s apprenticeship training capacity. 

This funding will allow NAIT to buy state-of-the-art equipment so that students can become part of the highly-skilled workforce that helps drive Alberta’s economic growth and prosperity.  The equipment will offer more technical, leading edge and innovative apprenticeship training and enable students to gain experience using technology that is currently used in the workforce.

"The Government of Canada recognizes NAIT's vital role training the highly skilled trades people who help drive Western Canada's economic growth and prosperity," said Minister Ambrose. "This additional investment of $1.1 million will allow western Canadian businesses to access skilled workers who are critical to increasing productivity and helping firms become even more competitive."

NAIT is expanding its capacity to provide apprenticeship training in response to increased industry demand for skilled trades people prompted by Alberta's growing economy and growth in oil sands development.