Four Alberta Schools Receive $10,000 Grant to Increase Access to Trade and Technology Skill Development

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - May 22, 2014) - Today, Skills Canada Alberta announced that four Alberta high schools will be receiving the TransCanada Equipment Grant. The schools will each receive $10,000 to purchase equipment and upgrade their trade and technology labs.

"Thanks to the support of industry partners like TransCanada, Skills Canada Alberta is able to support schools to enhance their Career and Technology Skills programs," said Chris Browton, Executive Director, Skills Canada Alberta. "Students that have the opportunity to explore career paths while in high school have an advantage as they make important career and post- secondary education decisions."

This year, the TransCanada Equipment Grant will enable students from Calvin Christian School, Fort Saskatchewan High School, Nipisihkopahk Secondary School and Peace River High School to develop the skills needed to work in some of Alberta's most in-demand occupations.

"TransCanada is pleased to partner with Skills Canada Alberta to help empower students and encourage leadership in trades," says Tony Palmer, Senior Vice-President, Stakeholder Relations, TransCanada Corporation. "We recognize that this investment will provide schools with valuable tools and resources by helping students make the link between classroom education and future careers in trades and technologies."

Grant recipients are selected based on the quality of their applications, demand from students for increased access to equipment and innovation in the school's approach to skill and leadership development. To learn more about the TransCanada Equipment Grant, visit http://skillsalberta.com/cts-funding.

Recipients of the 2014 Skills Canada Alberta TransCanada Equipment Grant

The very best of Canada's youth will be put on display at the Skills Canada National Competition in Toronto, June 4-7, 2014. Sixty two of Alberta's brightest trade and technology students earned a position on Team Alberta at the 22^nd Provincial Skills Canada Competition on May 14-15, 2014 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre and will represent the province at the national competition. The full list of Team Alberta participants can be found at http://skillsalberta.com/skills-canada-national-competition.

TransCanada

With more than 60 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and oil pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada believes in making a positive difference in the communities where it operates by being a good neighbour, a strategic community partner and an employer of choice. In 2013, the company distributed more than $11 million to non-profit organizations in Canada, the United States and Mexico. TransCanada operates one of North America's largest natural gas pipeline networks delivering 20 per cent of the natural gas consumed in North America every day. TransCanada owns or has an interest in 11,800 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the U.S. - enough to power approximately 12 million homes. The company's Keystone Pipeline System transports almost one-quarter of Canada's crude oil exports to the United States and has safely delivered more than 550 million barrels of oil since it began operation in 2010. TransCanada employs approximately 5,500 people, including more than 2,600 in Alberta, in 50 professions, trades and fields.

Skills Canada Alberta

Skills Canada Alberta (SCA) bridges Alberta's industry, labour, education and government leaders to equip young minds with the opportunity and resources to pursue trade and technology careers. Through SCA, 20,000 Alberta students participate in experiential Try-A- Trade® programs and regional, provincial, national and international skills competitions.