In collaboration with the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), this investment will support skilled trades workers preparing for certification and Red Seal exams through an advanced learning platform, which personalizes training as you go. The platform checks what learners already know and focuses on what they still need. It adjusts the learning path so they can progress faster without missing any required content.
This two-year pilot program helps address workforce shortages by speeding up credentialing, strengthening Alberta’s skilled trades workforce and allowing workers to upgrade their skills while remaining employed, avoiding lost income and ensuring training aligns with industry needs.
“One of Alberta’s biggest strengths is our workforce. With new investment comes new demand for skilled workers to build the projects that choose Alberta. This program builds up our existing workforce and puts us even further ahead by partnering government with industry, delivering real economic results and benefit to Albertans.
The pilot will support at least 200 workers in high-demand trades that are critical to Alberta’s economy and major industrial projects, including welding, steamfitter-pipefitting, instrumentation and ironworking. Training will be delivered using established eligibility criteria under Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s Trades Qualifier Program and will maintain existing skilled trade certification standards.
“Alberta needs more certified trades professionals, and we need them faster. This investment helps experienced workers build their skills, earn their credentials sooner, and get to work on the projects driving our economy forward.”
CLAC is Canada’s largest independent, multi-sector union. It represents approximately 24,000 workers in Alberta, primarily in heavy industrial construction and maintenance. CLAC will partner with Built To Learn, a Canadian training provider, to deliver the adaptive learning platform as part of the pilot.
“Our members are skilled, committed and ready to be part of the solution to Canada’s growing skilled trades shortage, but too often they face barriers that slow their progress. This initiative is about breaking those barriers down. With strong collaboration between industry and government, this approach will deliver real, measurable impact in the near term and help relieve the pressure facing not only our CLAC Union construction membership, but the wider Canadian workforce as well.”
“For decades, skilled labour shortages have challenged government, industry, labour organizations and educators alike. What makes this initiative so significant is that these groups have come together around a common objective: building a stronger, more sustainable workforce. Adaptive learning does not replace traditional training or apprenticeship systems. It enhances them by creating personalized learning pathways and providing data-driven, real-time insights that help workers, educators and employers achieve better learning outcomes.”
This pilot can help inform future efforts to expand access to trades certification preparation across Alberta. Helping workers earn their credentials sooner supports employers, strengthens job sites and builds the skilled workforce Alberta needs.
Quick facts
- The one-time grant runs from March 27, 2026 to March 27, 2028.
- The pilot is not a new test or certification process and does not change existing certification or Red Seal standards.
- Participation is open to individuals who are registered and meet the criteria of the Trades Qualifier Program.