CLRA President Joe McFadyen’s recent op-ed on the future of Alberta’s trades industry stressed the need for more tradespeople, given the province’s leading position as the nation’s fastest-growing province. To meet the demand – particularly in the energy sector – Alberta will require 20,000 new construction workers over the next decade, contributing to $22 billion in major projects.
At CLRA, we’re committed to tackling this challenge through our “Seed VS. Sod” campaign. This initiative balances short-term solutions, such as attracting skilled immigrants, with long-term efforts to develop a local workforce from within junior and high schools. While immigration can provide immediate relief, the Business Council of Alberta’s recent report highlights the need for greater enrollment and completion rates in trade schools to secure a sustainable workforce for the future.
It’s time to break the stigma that university is the only path to success. By investing in the trades, we can offer young Albertans rewarding careers that are both financially stable and fulfilling. As master plans for new communities are greenlit, it’s essential that we plant seeds today so that the skilled workforce of tomorrow is to build them.
Read the full op-ed here.
