Dave King

Dave King

For more than 40 years, Dave King has been a steadfast advocate for apprenticeship education in Alberta, drawing on a lifetime of hands-on experience in the heavy equipment and automotive service industries. Growing up on a ranch southeast of Vermilion, Dave always had an appreciation for working with his hands. His career from apprentice to provincial leader in trades education is a testament to his dedication, vision, and belief in the power of skilled trades to transform lives.

After sampling other careers such as accounting and surveying, Dave became a heavy equipment technician apprentice, earning his Red Seal certification in 1990. His passion for learning and skill development led him into a private shop, where he honed his craft working on everything from heavy equipment to trucks and passenger vehicles. Dave later became a dual-ticketed tradesperson by getting his Red Seal certifications as an automotive service technician in 1994. From there, he became a Ford Master technician. When a teaching opportunity with Ford fell through due to budget cuts, Dave was still intrigued by the idea of teaching.

In 2006, Dave transitioned from industry to education. Inspired by his own learning journey and eager to share his knowledge more broadly, he joined the Trades and Technology department at Lakeland College as an instructor. For nine fulfilling years, he taught Heavy Equipment Technician, Automotive Service Technician, and Q Endorsement (air brakes), leaving a lasting impact on countless students.

Throughout his early career, Dave gave back to the apprenticeship community by serving on the Vermilion Local Apprenticeship Committee for heavy duty mechanics and the Provincial Apprenticeship Committee for automotive service technicians.

In 2015, Dave was appointed Dean of Trades and Technology at Lakeland College – a role in which he continues to serve with passion and purpose. As a key member of the Alberta Deans of Apprenticeship and Trades (ADAT) and the executive of the National Deans of Apprenticeship, Trades and Technology (NCDATT), Dave has contributed to policy development and education reform at both provincial and national levels.

He notably chaired ADAT from 2020 to 2022, navigating the complex challenges of delivering apprenticeship education during the COVID-19 pandemic. When recalling the challenge of the pandemic, Dave notes “We had to collaborate with all 11 institutions on ADAT and the government. It was a team effort really with the government and the institutions.”

Widely respected across Alberta and Canada, Dave is known as a tireless advocate for skilled trades and apprenticeship pathways. He earned his Blue Seal certification in Achievement in Business Competencies in 2018 – an achievement that reflects both his business acumen and commitment to lifelong learning. In his role with Lakeland College, Dave focuses on parity between skilled trades and traditional academic education. “It's not us versus them. We all have students. Academic faculty, my trades faculty, we all teach students, and our goal is to get them to graduate.”

Dave’s work extends far beyond administrative leadership. He has cultivated strong relationships with local school divisions, bringing students into Lakeland College through Career and Technology Studies (CTS), Dual Credit programs, open houses, and information days. He and his team have also developed introductory training camps for Indigenous youth across the Lakeland region, creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations students to explore the trades and envision their futures in post-secondary education.

His leadership has also influenced policy at the highest levels. Dave was a member of the Skills for Jobs Task Force, which elevated the conversation around trades and helped position apprenticeship on equal footing with other post-secondary options. Dave states, “We wanted tradespeople to know that they are very important to Alberta.” He also currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Skills Canada Alberta, where he continues to promote excellence in trades education.

When it comes to leadership, Dave leans on his experience growing up on a ranch and his family’s influence. “My father was a leader in the community. My mother was a leader in the community… You grow up in that role.”

Under Dave’s guidance, Lakeland College has become a powerhouse in Skills Canada Alberta competitions, with students winning 37 provincial medals and 5 national medals since 2007—including 2 national wins this year. The hallways of the Trades Centre proudly display banners honouring these achievements, serving as both inspiration and recognition for the next generation of skilled trades professionals. For Dave, this instils pride in the students. “I always tell the students, if you become a Skills competitor, put it on your resume.”

Dave is also an active member of TEAMS Alberta, a branch of the Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Association. Through this partnership, he works to open doors for Indigenous learners and ensure equity and inclusion within the trades. His commitment to building partnerships and providing accessible pathways into skilled careers continues to create lasting impact across communities.

Dave’s belief that multiple, flexible pathways lead to confidence, opportunity, and success in post-secondary education is at the heart of everything he does.