Yesterday, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Steve MacKinnon alongside Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault announced that the Government of Canada will invest nearly $5 million to support the training of over 290 Indigenous Red Seal apprentices through the Trade Winds to Success Training Society, an Edmonton-based pre-trades training centre. This funding – provided by the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – aims to equip a skilled workforce to help meet Canada’s ambitious housing goal of constructing 3.87 million new homes by 2031.
This investment will inspire Indigenous youth overcome barriers to joining the trades by offering academic upgrading, mentorship, safety ticket training, mock interviews, employment and union connections – among other services – helping these apprentices graduate from their programs and secure jobs. Additionally, through the Towards Net Zero Residential Construction project, apprentices will gain career skills using tools and methods that assist Indigenous, rural, remote, and under-resourced communities to reduce residential greenhouse gas emissions.
Programs and funding like this will help meet the country’s demanding need for skilled labour while offering more Indigenous students the tools to build lasting careers and contribute to their communities, their environment, and the economy. The CLRA looks forward to more announcements like that of Minister MacKinnon’s and is eager to see the continued growth of Indigenous talent in the construction workforce.
Read the full announcement here.
