The Bank of Montreal Financial Group announced a donation of $400,000 to go towards a Green Careers Strategy, within the Lethbridge College’s International Wind Energy Academy.

This is Lethbridge’s biggest donation in history.

It also makes BMO an established partner in the Green Careers Strategy within the College’s International Wind Energy Academy (IWEA).

Tracy Edwards, LC president and CEO, says the donation opens up future opportunities to students.

“Lethbridge College is looking towards a future of sustainable partnerships within our community in order to continue building a green, global and socially responsible workforce.

“We’re proud to partner with BMO Financial Group to give these opportunities to our students.”

The Green Careers Strategy will use the development of sustainable energy and innovation to focus on preparing students for work in wind energy. LC is currently working on a small wind turbine technician program, focusing on the use of small turbines (60kW or less).

Robert Hayes, BMO senior vice-president, Prairies Division, says the gift co-ordinates with BMO’s core corporate values.

“Companies like ours have a responsibility to take a leadership role in environmental sustainability – to go where our customers are going.

“This means that we must adopt environmental best practices into everything we do as well as support those organizations such as LethbridgeCollege who are leading the way in green careers education.”

BMO was founded in 1817 as the Bank of Montreal.

In August 2010, BMO announced its achievement of carbon neutrality which is related to its international energy and transportation footprint.