Alberta’s government is rolling out a new campaign to promote skilled trades and apprenticeship education, aiming to attract more students to in-demand careers that are vital to the province’s economy. The initiative includes an advertising push and a new website designed to emphasize the value of skilled trades and their contributions to Alberta’s growth.
“By championing apprenticeship education and careers in the skilled trades, we can inspire future apprentices and attract more skilled tradespeople to our province,” said Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney. The minister highlighted that Alberta’s evolving economy requires a workforce equipped with practical skills for the future.
The campaign comes as Alberta is set to invest over $117 million in apprenticeship programming in 2024-25, which includes $78 million for seats in apprenticeship programs at 11 post-secondary institutions—an increase of $24 million from the previous year. This investment aims to create 3,200 additional seats over the next three years in high-demand sectors.
Alberta offers 47 apprenticeship programs, with students gaining practical experience through a combination of 80 per cent paid on-the-job learning and 20 per cent classroom instruction at public institutions. These programs range from traditional trades like carpentry to fields such as hairstyling, with the province aiming to ensure underrepresented groups, including women, newcomers, and people with disabilities, have equitable access to these careers.
To reach potential students, the government has been conducting outreach at major events, including the Calgary Stampede and K-Days, and plans to visit high schools in the fall. Alberta is also collaborating with Ontario through a memorandum of understanding to improve international credential recognition for skilled tradespeople.
The government’s strategy is bolstered by partnerships with training institutions, including the NAIT Advanced Skills Centre and the International Union of Operating Engineers, and by initiatives such as the Skilled Trades Youth Ambassador advisory council.
Alberta has seen a sharp rise in apprenticeship registrations over the past two years, positioning the skilled trades as a crucial element of its economic future.