On September 15, CLRA welcomed Robert Fernandez, Chair of Invest Alberta’s Board of Directors, for an Industry Insights session on Alberta’s investment climate and the growing interest in AI and data infrastructure. With investment decisions directly influencing the construction industry, the major projects our members build, and the workforce needed to deliver them, the discussion was top of mind for construction employers.
The conversation looked at Alberta’s position in a changing global investment landscape and what it will take for the province to stay competitive as major projects move ahead. Fernandez spoke about Alberta’s strong foundation of resources and talent, and the group discussed how the province can build on that strength by improving productivity, adopting new technology and delivering projects on time and on budget. Fernandez said confidence plays a major role in attracting investment, and Alberta’s ability to execute projects well is central to that.
Fernandez also talked about Canada’s high standing with global investors and what that means for Alberta’s ability to secure capital for major resource projects and critical infrastructure. With the scale of projects coming online, the demand for skilled labour will be significant. He highlighted the need for creative approaches to workforce attraction, including reaching students and parents, hiring early year apprentices and connecting with people who have little exposure to the trades.
Individual company outreach will not be enough, which is why CLRA works with industry, educators and government partners to attract talent, support apprentices and strengthen employer capacity. This includes initiatives like CLRA’s Build Your Future in Alberta campaign, the bursaries and grants we sponsor for apprenticeship programs at NAIT and the funding CLRA and its Workforce Development Trust partners provide.
CLRA thanks Invest Alberta and Robert Fernandez for contributing to this important conversation. These insights provide members, partners and stakeholders with clear, practical perspective on project priorities, policy developments and workforce trends shaping Alberta’s construction sector.
