CLRA was pleased to attend last week’s launch of BLUprint at TELUS Spark, an innovative new program designed to spark curiosity and inspire Alberta youth to explore the skilled trades. This initiative, supported by a generous grant of nearly $900,000 from the Government of Alberta’s Advanced Education Ministry and an additional $100,000 sponsorship from Calgary Construction Association, marks an exciting step forward for the future of skilled trades in our province.
As representatives of Alberta construction employers, CLRA is particularly thrilled about the potential of BLUprint to encourage kids to consider careers in the skilled trades. This program, the first of its kind in Canada to combine skilled trades programming with a science centre, offers a unique opportunity for young people to engage with the trades in a fun, hands-on, and interactive environment.
BLUprint features an outdoor space where youth can use real tools, gain practical experience, and understand the science behind various trades. Later in the year, the program will expand inside the science centre, providing additional opportunities for learning through virtual reality and other innovative technologies. By integrating trades education within a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) framework, BLUprint celebrates the creativity, skill, and ingenuity that define the trades and underscores their critical importance to Alberta’s economic future.
CLRA is excited about the positive impact BLUprint will have on inspiring the next generation of tradespeople. We are grateful for the support of the Government of Alberta and the Calgary Construction Association Education Fund, whose contributions have made this program possible.
Great initiatives like this are crucial for the future of the trades industry, and we look forward to seeing the many young minds that BLUprint will inspire.
