StandardAero training staff through government funding as it expands Winnipeg operations
Funding for Manitoba aerospace sector will train 100 new employees and 1,200 current employees over 3 years
StandardAero says new funding from the provincial and federal governments will help expand its Winnipeg operations by training more specialized technicians, managers, support personnel and engineers.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the governments will spend $510,400 to train 100 new employees and 1,200 current employees for the next three years at StandardAero's Winnipeg facilities. The company is one of the largest providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul services in the global aviation industry.
"Making this investment in training the workforce of tomorrow, making this investment in the low-carbon economy, the aerospace sector, being able to say that Manitoba is going to have jobs for decades to come — this is hugely important to the province that we're all building together," Kinew said during the press conference Tuesday held in an engine test bay at the facility on Flight Road.
The funding agreement is made possible through the Industry Expansion Program, which supports companies that are expanding operations in Manitoba to improve skills training for employees.
Kinew said strengthening the aerospace industry is one way to send a message to the U.S. and other allies that Manitoba is a valued partner.
The new funding will help the company — founded in 1911 — develop training programs and future highly skilled gas turbine repair and overhaul technicians for years to come, StandardAero's vice president of product assurance and quality Brent Ostermaan said.
"So without this money, we would be doing it on our own ... we might look to train people in another jurisdiction, maybe outside of Winnipeg. So this is very important for the site to get the support from the province of Manitoba," Ostermaan said.
He said the facility will focus on training technicians to build engines like the CFM56-7B and CF34. There's also potential for development within the F135 program which supports Canada's military on the F-35 aircraft, he said.
Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal said the funding will support skills development, boost innovation and ensure the aerospace sector has the talent to compete internationally in the aviation industry.
"Our government is proud to support StandardAero in their efforts to keep their own workforce equipped with the skills they need to stay on top of the game," said Vandal, who's also the member of parliament for St. Boniface and St. Vital in Winnipeg.
In-demand sector
Not only will the training help workers build complex machinery, but it will help inspire and recruit underrepresented groups in Manitoba too, Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Jaimie Moses said at the conference.
He said the aerospace sector — from airplanes, rockets or going to space for defence or commercial purposes — is in high demand across the world.
"It's something that's growing and knowing that we have the skills and talent to be a world leader here in Manitoba is so significant," Moses said.
"When I go to the airport and I get on a plane, knowing that there's Manitoba hard work going into a machinery like that makes me rest a little bit easier and have a little bit of pride while I'm flying too."
Chad Flowers, vice president and general manager at the company, said StandardAero is one of four companies bidding on a contract to build the engines for the F-35 jets the Canadian military is acquiring.
"StandardAero wants to put their best foot forward with the Winnipeg location given our history of supporting the Royal Canadian Air Force for over 50 years here in Winnipeg and as our specialization in defence," Flowers said.
He said StandardAero expects to find out whether they've been awarded the contract within the next three months. Building the engine depot in Winnipeg would cost around $150 million.
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With files from Ian Froese