CLRA is supporting the training and development of tradespeople in Alberta through a set of new bursaries and grants for apprenticeship students at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). CLRA is donating $30,000 for 60 bursaries and grants of $500 each that will be distributed by NAIT and awarded to students based on a demonstration of both academic and financial need. The bursaries will be available to first and second-period students in the Carpenter, Ironworker, Insulator, Millwright, Plumber, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Roofer Sheet Metal Worker, Steamfitter-Pipefitter, and Welder apprenticeship programs. There will be up to six awards available for each program, including grants for students from historically marginalized and excluded communities. Read the News Release.

CLRA is pleased to announce that we are returning as the Edmonton Elks Tailgate Presenting Partner for the 2025 and 2026 seasons! The partnership extension is a display of our ongoing commitment to community and to attracting more people to work in the skilled trades. As the Elks’ Tailgate Presenting Partner, CLRA has an excellent opportunity to grow awareness about CLRA and promote the skilled trades to thousands of fans at every home game while showing our support for the Elks and the football community in Edmonton and northern Alberta. CLRA will also be serving hot dogs and drinks at the 2025 Elks Fan Day on May 17th at the Emerald Hills Sports Pavilion in Sherwood Park between 10am and 2pm. We are proud to continue this exciting and meaningful partnership! We hope you will join us at a tailgate party and in cheering on the Elks this season. Click here for the schedule Be sure to follow CLRA on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn for reminders and updates on the tailgates. And whether you are at Commonwealth Stadium or watching the game on television, look for CLRA’s in-stadium display ads and signage promoting workalbertatrades.org. Elks Football…Always Edmonton!

Construction Labour Relations Alberta (CLRA), in partnership with Building Trades of Alberta (BTA), presented a cheque for $35,000 to The Education Partnership Fund (TEPF) in Red Deer today. This donation will support TEPF’s Trades Careers Program which aims to expose hundreds of students every year to the skilled trades with hands-on experiences and learning opportunities. The financial contribution is on behalf of the Workforce Development Trust (WFDT), a shared effort of both CLRA and BTA to address the need to invest in programs that grow, train, and support Alberta’s construction workers. The WFDT is funded by construction contractors who contribute 2 cents for every hour worked by a skilled tradesperson under collective agreements through CLRA, BTA and the General Presidents Maintenance Committee (GPMC) to develop the next generation of skilled trades workers. TEPF’s Trades Careers Program focuses on giving students a head start by providing them with easily accessible courses in world class union training facilities and the necessary hands-on experience to begin a career in the trades. Approximately 100,000 students have been exposed to or benefited from this program to date. CLRA and its WFDT partners fully support any initiative that contributes to growth of the construction industry, including