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

The Business Council of Alberta’s latest report, Laying the Foundation, delivers an urgent message that without bold, coordinated action, Alberta risks falling short on key infrastructure, energy, and economic goals. On May 7, CLRA will be hosting a panel discussion with the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, the Business Council of Alberta, and NAIT to dig into these challenges and look at ways to chart a path forward. Key Insights from the Report include: Labour Shortages Are Escalating Alberta needs 27,700 new construction workers by 2027. Pressures come from an aging workforce, declining apprenticeship enrollment, and limited immigration pathways for tradespeople. Workforce Development Gaps Current training and apprenticeship systems aren’t keeping up. Barriers persist for youth, women, Indigenous people, and newcomers. Report calls for modular training, micro-credentials, and inclusive entry paths into trades. Misaligned Immigration Pathways Only ~2% of new immigrants enter construction trades in Alberta. Federal immigration streams prioritize academic credentials over practical skills. Alberta must develop targeted regional immigration strategies. Capital Flight and Project Risk Labour shortages and strained industrial relations could lead to project delays, Escalating costs and investment uncertainty in clean energy, housing, and infrastructure The Seed vs. Sod Debate: Homegrown vs. Imported Talent CLRA