The construction industry in Alberta is a vital contributor to the provincial economy, employing a significant workforce and generating substantial economic activity. Recognizing the importance of this sector and the need for skilled professionals to develop critical infrastructure, affordable housing, and essential facilities, the Government of Canada, through Member of Parliament George Chahal, announced an investment of over $2.5 million. This investment supports the establishment of the Alternative Construction Technologies Centre at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).

The Alternative Construction Technologies Centre is designed to foster innovation by bringing together various fields, including manufacturing, automation, robotics, material science, and construction. It will house specialized equipment and laboratories, providing small- and medium-sized businesses with resources to develop, test, and commercialize new products, processes, and services. The ultimate goal is to reduce construction costs, accelerate project completion, enhance quality, and minimize environmental impact.

This initiative is expected to benefit around 50 small- and medium-sized enterprises, leading to the creation of approximately 50 new jobs. Moreover, it will provide training opportunities for about 60 students and industry professionals over the next four years. The Alternative Construction Technologies Centre is set to be fully operational by 2025.

In a broader context, this investment reflects the Canadian government’s commitment to the construction industry’s productivity, affordability, and competitiveness, acknowledging its role in driving economic growth and development in Alberta and across the country.

• PrairiesCan funding of $2,594,000 announced today is allocated through the Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program.
• The RIE program creates and nurtures inclusive regional ecosystems that support businesses to innovate from start to finish.
• Funding announced is in addition to more than $3.69 million in PrairiesCan investment for SAIT since the beginning of 2022, including:
  • More than $1.4 million to support Canada’s first remotely piloted aviation training centre for heavy-lift drones training, maintenance, and certification.
  • $1.43 million to help commercialize emerging, high-growth potential clean technologies for Alberta’s energy sector.
  • $860,000 to help advance the use of unmanned aerial vehicles for environmental monitoring.