Budget 2025

Last week, the Alberta Government released their 2025-2026 budget called Meeting the Challenge.

Alberta’s Budget 2025 aims to address the province’s challenges, including economic uncertainties due to volatile oil prices, potential U.S. tariffs, and rising pressure on public services from increased population growth. Budget 2025 focuses on both immediate relief for residents and long-term economic stability, while carefully managing fiscal health.

The total revenue forecast for 2025-26 is $74 billion, a decrease of $6.6 billion from the 2024-25 third-quarter forecast of $81 billion. The revenue forecast reflects economic volatility and uncertainties related to potential tariffs and trade conflicts with the U.S. Operating expenses are forecasted to increase by 3.6%, or $2.2 billion, in 2025-26, primarily to support areas such as health, education, disability supports, and affordable housing.

The CLRA welcomes the government’s focus in the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan to support skilled trades education, training, and apprenticeship opportunities.

Included in this budget are:

$78 million to add more seats in apprenticeship classes across Alberta.
$113 million for scholarships and the Alberta Student Grant.
$4 million to First Nations Colleges Grant for colleges in rural, Indigenous communities.
$135 million to skilled trades programs (apprenticeship delivery, grants, adult learning initiatives) each year with $271 million allocated over the following two years.
$5 million for unionized training centres
$1 million in planning funds for the Trades and Apprenticeship Promotional Plan program, aimed at encouraging young people to enter skilled trades through hands-on activities.
$1 million to Northwest Polytechnic for planning of the Grande Prairie campus expansion.

Budget 2025 provides important funding for our post-secondary network, labour sector, industry leaders, and government. CLRA will work closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure the value of this funding addresses our industry’s needs to sustain and cultivate Alberta’s skilled labour workforce.

Learn more about the 2025 Budget here.