A Red Deer Oil and Gas Company says they couldn't be happier with a government program that's helping them better train their staff.

Canyon Technical Services who is in the well servicing industry says the Canada Alberta Job Grant has helped them train 13 of their employees with advanced technical skills and post secondary education.

Training and Development Manager Craig Jensen says both the Federal and Provincial governments try to make it as easy as possible to apply and receive a grant.

"This program, it's actually quite easy to work with the Alberta Government to get funding approved and the process works quite well. You know this is exactly an example of government working with industry with a goal to help industry and people succeed, and it's been really interesting to see it come around full circle."

Jensen says the program really helps cover the cost to train employees, as companies only need to fund a third of the cost.

Adding the funding help they've received has been invaluable to improving, retaining, and recruiting a work force.

"You know a big goal within Canyon is to be an employer of choice. A lot of the things we do try to lign up with that. We can help people achieve their goals, and then of course increased skill that they bring back, and the tangible job skills they bring back makes them better, and a great asset for us."

As of July, the Province says more than 5,700 applications have been approved for more than 2,400 unique employers in Alberta.