CLRA recently brought together MLAs, industry partners, government officials and post‑secondary leaders for a focused discussion on the workforce and regulatory conditions that directly shape Alberta’s construction sector, titled Building Prosperity: Construction’s Role in Alberta’s Economy. These priorities matter to CLRA members because they determine how employers plan, hire and deliver work across the province.
CLRA Board Chair Wayne Troock opened the evening by emphasizing that government, industry and education all share responsibility for building a strong labour pipeline. Meeting future demand requires coordinated action on training and retention, and he reinforced that these solutions must be developed together.
The panel, moderated by CLRA Board Member and Chief Operating Officer for Connect Group Mandy Kaiser, kept the conversation grounded in the practical realities facing Alberta’s construction sector.
Workforce supply remains one of the most pressing issues for CLRA members. President Joe McFadyen highlighted the need for thousands of additional skilled workers over the next decade and emphasized CLRA’s Seed vs. Sod approach, which focuses on developing Alberta talent to help employers build a stable workforce. He also reinforced the importance of treating worksites as learning environments so apprentices stay engaged and complete their training.
Minister of Advanced Education Myles McDougall outlined the government’s investments in apprenticeship funding and training infrastructure. He discussed the importance of attracting more young people to the trades earlier, and how initiatives like the newly announced Trades Discovery Centre in Calgary are designed to strengthen the long‑term talent pipeline.
Mark Plamondon, Executive Director of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association, explained that while major capital projects create significant opportunities, realizing them depends on a regulatory environment that supports timely approvals. He emphasized that investors look closely at workforce strength and regulatory certainty when making final decisions. Projects like Dow’s Path2Zero show strong confidence in Alberta’s capabilities, fiscal framework and skilled labour. Plamondon added that recent project pauses reflect broader market conditions, but he remains cautiously optimistic.
When regulatory approvals, workforce availability and export infrastructure come together, Alberta becomes a stronger destination for investment. For CLRA members, this alignment affects when projects start, how much labour is needed and how employers plan for long‑term work.
Alberta’s competitiveness depends on a skilled workforce and a clear approvals process. These factors guide when apprentices are hired and how employers prepare for multi‑year projects.
Looking ahead, Alberta needs to bring stakeholders together around a shared vision for the energy sector, move quickly on workforce development and continue investing in training infrastructure. These priorities remain central to CLRA’s advocacy on behalf of its members.
These discussions help ensure that policy reflects job site realities and supports the conditions employers need to build, train and deliver.
CLRA thanks all panelists, MLAs, partners and guests for a productive and well‑attended event.
