Province says its spending more than $800K in innovation 

The Government of Manitoba says it’s making an investment in innovation and is taking its lead from those on the frontlines. 

The funding comes in the form of $846,000 and is being split across four programs aimed at training skilled workers in the fields of digital media, construction technology, waste management, creative arts, and agri-foods.

The cash was announced on Friday by Manitoba’s Minister of Business, Mining Trade and Job Creation Jamie Moses and the province’s New Technology Minister Mike Moroz. 

“Manitoba’s sector councils are creating good jobs, increasing productivity, and training more Manitobans in key industries,” said Minister Moses in a provincial news release. “Our government is proud to support these innovative, collaborative projects that bring more opportunities to learn emerging and in-demand skills for today’s economy.”

The needs were identified by Manitoba’s Sector Councils, who since 1991, have been gathering to address the changing needs of the workforce in the province. 

Some organizations set to receive funding include New Media Manitoba and On Screen Manitoba, to be used to create virtual production film training at StudioLab xR, alongside the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, which is partnering with New Media Manitoba on new training around the operation of drones for construction purposes.

Creative Manitoba and Food and Beverage Manitoba’s Northern Arts and Food Project, which is aimed at establishing jobs and training in the North focused on the creative arts and agri-food sector, will also be a recipient of the funding. 

“I’m thrilled our government is stepping up to support made-in-Manitoba technologies through the Sector Council Program,” said Minister Moroz in the news release. “By investing in Manitoba’s skilled workers, we’re growing innovative industries across the province.”

Another initiative set to receive a portion of the more than $800,000 is the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, alongside the Manitoba Trucking Association and Supply Chain Manitoba.

They’re working on a training and workforce development strategy around waste management and Jack Winram, executive director with the MEIA says the funding is important, especially when it comes to realizing Manitoba’s “low-carbon advantage.”

“With global targets for net-zero emissions driving sectors like critical mineral mining and energy transition, Manitoba is well positioned to take advantage of the growing low-carbon economy,” he said.

Since 2023 sector councils have managed to secure an additional $9.6 million in industry funding and have supported more than 62,000 participants representatives from the Government of Manitoba noted Friday.