By Skies Magazine | June 27, 2023 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 38 seconds.
The Government of Canada on June 26 announced a significant investment of more than $4 million to strengthen the aerospace sector in Calgary, Alberta.
Unveiled by the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, the federal funding is to support two projects that will enhance the competitiveness of the industry, create high-quality jobs, and diversify Alberta’s economy, according to a Prairies Economic Development Canada press release.
The investments are part of the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), a national program designed to support the recovery and global competitiveness of the Canadian aerospace industry with a budget of $250 million over three years.
As part of the first project, the University of Calgary is to receive over $2.5 million to establish an Aerospace Innovation Hub, which will offer technology development support, prototyping services, and access to testing equipment to start-ups and existing small- and medium-sized aerospace firms. The initiative is projected to create around 50 jobs, train 50 participants, and directly benefit 25 businesses.
“A beacon for researchers and budding start-ups, the [Aerospace Innovation Hub] will attract aerospace and advanced manufacturing innovators from around the world to Calgary and create a critical mass of industry activity that anchors and catalyzes our city’s aerospace ecosystem,” said Dr. Ed McCauley, president and vice chancellor of the University of Calgary.
Additionally, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is to receive more than $1.4 million to establish Canada’s first remotely-piloted aviation training center for heavy-lift drones. The new center — which is anticipated to be “one of the most advanced training and certification centers in North America” — will play a crucial role in facilitating the adoption of heavy-lift drone technology, with a focus on training, maintenance, and certification. The project is expected to generate approximately 45 jobs and train 110 participants.
“This investment further enables SAIT to deliver world-class training at Canada’s first remotely-piloted aviation training center — an expansion within SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services,” said Dr. David Ross, president and CEO of SAIT. “With demand for talent growing on an international scale, we’re committed to delivering the skilled workforce needed to thrive and support this emerging industry in Alberta, throughout Canada and globally.”
Prairies Economic Development Canada believes the investments, which total $4,005,977, “will enhance the growth of aerospace and advanced manufacturing businesses and fill gaps in training for specially-trained pilots and mechanics.”
