As a key player in the construction and labour sectors, CLRA was excited to see the Business Council of Alberta (BCA) launch their “The Journey to Becoming a Journeyperson” taskforce-led project earlier this week. This initiative comes at a critical time, as Alberta faces a rising demand for skilled tradespeople amid its rapidly expanding population and growing list of upcoming major projects. Report author Dylan Kelso shared that BCA’s ultimate goal with this project is to suggest policy recommendations on how to increase the number of skilled tradespeople in our province. This project is a commendable effort to support aspiring tradespeople in navigating the certification process. With its detailed step-by-step breakdown of credentials and training programs for various starting points, it aims to demystify the journey toward becoming a journeyperson, making it more accessible for all Albertans looking to join or switch into the trades. Projects like this are vital for the long-term health of the construction industry – and by compiling education and training resources on our newly launched website, CLRA is helping to accomplish the same goal. By equipping individuals with the knowledge and resources they need, we can collectively address labour shortages and strengthen Alberta’s workforce. We

As students return to school this fall, Alberta is investing significantly in career education to align better with opportunities arising from our booming economy. With a focus on fueling interest and growth in various sectors, including the skilled trades, the provincial government is establishing clearer pathways for youth to pursue and secure fulfilling careers in the construction industry. Seven new collegiate programs will be introduced across Alberta during the 2024-25 school year. These programs are geared towards piquing student interest in trades careers (amongst others) and to provide them with the pathways and opportunities to fulfill them. Developed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, these initiatives feature blended learning, combining in-person studies with online learning experiences. CLRA supports innovative education avenues, including the seven upcoming collegiate programs that encourage high school students to pursue the skilled trades. We are currently promoting our new ‘Build Your Future’ digital campaign, focused on inspiring individuals of all backgrounds and abilities to consider joining skilled profession training programs and apprenticeships. We believe that these initiatives will help equip young people with the necessary skills to thrive in Alberta’s dynamic construction job market – and further contribute to the province’s economic advantage. Read the government’s full

CLRA is pleased to announce that our President, Joe McFadyen, was recently granted a position on the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades by Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney. We are honoured and excited to have the opportunity to contribute to this board’s vital work over the next three years. We have played a crucial role in guiding Alberta’s unionized construction employers through labour negotiations for over 50 years, uniting contractors, owners, and skilled tradespeople to strengthen local and provincial economies. Whether by ensuring our presence on boards like ABST, or promoting education resources to prospective tradespeople through our new campaign, we are dedicated to advancing the skilled trades in this province. Learn more about the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades here. Check out the other members of ABST here.