Alberta employers increase training investment as province leads job growth

Alberta’s top employers are expanding training and skills development programs as the province records the country’s highest employment growth and continues to attract workers to its young, fast-growing workforce.

The 2026 edition of Alberta’s Top Employers, announced today by Mediacorp Canada Inc., highlights how employers are responding to tight labour markets with in-house training programs, structured onboarding focused on career progression, and increased financial support for professional certifications and continuing education.

Alberta recorded the fastest employment growth in Canada last year and has posted the highest population growth of any Canadian province or U.S. state over the past two decades.

Focus on early-career development

With the youngest workforce in the country, Alberta employers are placing greater emphasis on programs for early-career employees.

Winners are implementing more structured onboarding programs that outline learning opportunities and advancement pathways from the start of employment, said Richard Yerema, executive editor at Mediacorp.

“Employers are increasingly competing for the same skilled workers, and that competition is translating into better programs, better benefits and better career development opportunities,” said Yerema.

Expanded benefits offerings

About half of this year’s winners now offer flexible benefits plans that allow employees to customize coverage based on personal or family needs.

The shift reflects employer efforts to remain competitive in a tightening labour market, according to Mediacorp.

“Younger employees want to know that their employer is invested in their long-term growth,” said Kristina Leung, managing editor at Mediacorp. “This year’s Alberta winners are responding with stronger training programs, more generous educational allowances and clearer pathways for advancement.”

Selection process

Alberta’s Top Employers is an annual competition recognizing employers that lead their industries in workplace quality. First published in 2006, the designation is open to any employer with a head office or principal place of business in Alberta.

Mediacorp editors evaluate employers on eight criteria: workplace, work atmosphere and social programs, health and financial and family benefits, vacation and time off, employee communications, performance management, training and skills development, and community involvement.

The full list of winners was published today in the Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal and on Eluta.ca. Mediacorp Canada Inc. manages the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project and operates Eluta.ca, a Canadian job search engine that attracted 2.4 million unique visitors last year.

Full list of winners