A new provincial and federal investment is aimed at preparing Manitoba’s aerospace and manufacturing workforce for the growing role of artificial intelligence, digital traceability, and data-driven production.
The Governments of Canada and Manitoba have announced $500,000 in funding for the AeroTrace Workforce Pilot Program, a training initiative designed to help workers develop skills in industrial data literacy, production data management, digital traceability, and applied AI.
The program will be delivered through Manitoba Aerospace and Defence in partnership with Winnipeg-based enterprise data intelligence firm mode40. Funding comes through the Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program, a broader initiative created to help businesses and workers adapt to changing economic conditions and trade-related challenges.
Federal Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu said the investment will help Manitobans gain the skills needed to succeed in an evolving workforce while supporting innovation across two of the province’s key industries.
Provincial Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses said the pilot will help companies respond to shifting market demands, supply chain disruptions, and new procurement requirements by giving workers access to specialized training in emerging technologies.
The initiative builds on mode40’s AeroTrace platform, which helps aerospace and defence suppliers document where parts originate, how they are produced, and what standards they meet. Increasingly, manufacturers and defence contractors require this type of digital proof to verify compliance and strengthen supply chain transparency.
Industry leaders say those requirements are becoming standard across global aerospace and defence markets, making workforce training a critical factor in maintaining Manitoba’s competitiveness.
Manitoba Aerospace and Defence CEO Beverlie Stuart said the program will bring together industry, technology, and workforce development to strengthen local supply chains and create new growth opportunities. Mode40 founder and CEO Cameron Bergen added that the pilot will help frontline employees use trusted production data and apply AI tools responsibly within existing manufacturing processes.
The announcement also aligns with priorities outlined in the newly formed Manitoba-Canada Defence Alliance and supports efforts to boost productivity, supplier readiness, and long-term industry growth.
Earlier this year, Ottawa committed $18.2 million over three years to the Canada-Manitoba Workforce Tariff Response Program, which supports workers and businesses affected by tariffs across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, construction, and warehousing.
