In an effort to get more people to study in the fields of engineering and computer science, the province is making $2 million available for job programs in the next three years.
The program, announced Monday, is part of the province’s $4.8 billion investment in STEM education.
“This investment in education is a direct response to the recent economic downturn,” Minister of Jobs, Training and Skills Cathy McLeod said in a news release.
“Our goal is to create a pipeline of talented, qualified Canadians that can be tapped to fill jobs in the industry and industry-based industries that are important to Alberta and the province.”
The new job training funding is part a wider effort to invest in STEM, including providing $2 billion to a program to train Canadians to work in the field of computing and related industries.
The new funding is the second $2-million investment the province has made in the STEM fields in three years, according to a release.
In the fall of 2018, the provincial government announced a $2,500 rebate for students who complete STEM courses.
The program also includes a $1,000 funding for students to take a two-week online course to get the skills they need for jobs in STEM industries.