Alberta’s government will invest more than $1.5 million over three years to support an Indigenous-led program that trains students in skilled trades for the province’s residential construction sector.
The funding, which begins in 2024-25, will go to Trade Winds to Success, a non-profit organization that since 2005 has helped more than 3,000 Indigenous students pursue careers in skilled trades. The group’s training model aims to address growing construction labour needs and broaden economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
“Trade Winds to Success has an impressive history of helping Indigenous students to discover new career opportunities in the skilled trades, overcome barriers to education and thrive in the workplace. Supporting Trade Winds is a win-win for Indigenous workers and Alberta’s economy,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education.
“Indigenous-led non-profit organizations like Trade Winds to Success help ensure that Indigenous Peoples are included at every level of the economy – as owners, workers and partners. This funding will help Indigenous students gain valuable training in the trades, and moves us forward as we build a stronger, more inclusive economy,” said Rick Wilson, Minister of Indigenous Relations.
The support will also help sustain Trade Winds to Success’s Residential Construction Program, which prepares students over six weeks of foundational courses and 12 weeks of hands-on construction training. Those who complete the program gain credit hours toward their first year in Alberta’s carpenter apprenticeship education system. The group anticipates enrolling 156 participants over three years, with the majority expected to find employment after completing the program.
“The multi-year funding announcement from the Ministry of Advanced Education is the perfect demonstration of reconciliation in action. We are grateful to the Honourable Rajan Sawhney for recognizing the importance of uplifting Indigenous people pursuing careers in the trades, knowing the impact we have on the Alberta economy. Access to operational dollars not only allows us to address core needs but it also allows us to build capacity and plan for the future. Through quality pre-trades training, we can continue empowering the next generation of tradespeople while finding new ways to support their goals,” said Linda Domak, president of the board of directors at Trade Winds to Success.
