Alberta’s government is proposing a $20-million investment in its 2025 budget to advance planning and design of a new trades and technology facility at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), aimed at addressing the province’s rising demand for skilled workers.
The Advanced Skills Centre, currently in the pre-construction phase, is part of a broader three-year, $43-million commitment. Once complete, it’s expected to train an additional 4,200 apprentices annually in high-demand sectors, including construction, energy, manufacturing and transportation.
If approved, the 2025-26 funding would be the largest single-year contribution yet for the project. Budget documents show $2 million was committed in 2024-25, with $21 million proposed for 2026-27.
Workforce growth aligned with industry needs
The 640,000-square-foot facility is slated for NAIT’s main campus in Edmonton and will deliver “leading-edge apprenticeship and technology-based education,” according to the province. A 10,000-square-foot trades and technology exploration hub for K-12 students, community groups, and industry is also being proposed as part of the development.
“The Advanced Skills Centre will build the skilled workforce needed to build Alberta’s future,” said Laura Jo Gunter, NAIT president and CEO. “This latest investment will accelerate getting this all-important project shovel-ready.”
As of February 2025, more than 73,000 apprentices were registered across Alberta—up 19 per cent over the previous year—highlighting the province’s growing reliance on trades education to fill workforce gaps created by retirements and economic growth.
Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, said the centre “will help meet workforce demands in key industries, keeping our province competitive and prosperous for many years to come.”
Additional funding for trades training
Beyond the NAIT project, Budget 2025 includes an additional $78 million annually over three years to increase seats in apprenticeship programs at 11 post-secondary institutions across Alberta.
The Edmonton Construction Association welcomed the provincial investment, saying it supports regional efforts to recruit and retain skilled workers.
“Growth in Edmonton’s construction industry, and our regional economy, depend on ECA members’ ability to hire and retain skilled trades workers,” said Matt Schellenberger, director of corporate development at the ECA.
Currently, 30 to 40 per cent of NAIT’s full-time students are enrolled in apprenticeship and skilled trades programs. The Advanced Skills Centre is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
