The Alberta government is investing $43 million in a new apprenticeship and technology-based education centre on the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) Edmonton campus.

The 640,000-square-foot Advanced Skills Centre (ASC) will focus on training for the construction, transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors. It is the biggest development in the institute’s history.

“The Advanced Skills Centre at NAIT will see more apprentices trained in four sectors critical to our economy, while fostering innovation not just in the Edmonton region, but throughout northern Alberta and beyond,” said Alberta Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney.

Planning funds will help prepare for construction, which will start in 2025. The centre will add 640,000 square feet of new, state-of-the-art learning space to NAIT’s main campus and support the evolution and growth of programming over time, allowing NAIT to meet emerging needs to support Alberta’s diverse and competitive industries.

“This funding from Alberta’s government acknowledges the crucial role of skilled trades in the economy and NAIT’s role in delivering apprenticeship education that is essential for our province’s prosperity. In collaboration with industry and the community, NAIT is set to modernize and expand our training capabilities. This is an investment in our vision, setting the stage for Alberta’s future,” said Laura Jo Gunter, president and CEO, NAIT.

When construction is completed, the Advanced Skills Centre will include flexible and adaptable learning spaces that can be expanded to accommodate program growth or the introduction of new programs to meet labour market demand.