Apprenticeship Day is the latest announcement demonstrating the government’s commitment to increasing awareness of apprenticeship education and its benefits to the economy.
The Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs strategy established a clear path forward for apprenticeship education programs and skilled trades in Alberta. Since then, the government has taken the following steps to support apprenticeship training:
- Budget 2022 invested $30 million over three years to enhance apprenticeship programs and opportunities.
- About $15 million will help students acquire skills for the emerging technology sectors and other in-demand occupations.
- In June 2022, the Skills Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act was proclaimed and the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades was created.
- In July 2022, government announced $3.2 million in funding to train more Albertans for good-paying jobs in the construction industry.
- This pilot project is a partnership with the Alberta Construction Association, End Poverty Edmonton and the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.
- In September 2022, Alberta’s government announced $15 million over the next three years to expand apprenticeship education.
- $1.37 million will be used to create 300 new apprenticeship seats at NAIT, SAIT and Portage College.
- The remaining funds will be allocated in consultation with post-secondary institutions and industry partners.
- In July 2022, Alberta’s government announced the creation of a Career Education Task Force to review career education programming and provide strategic advice and recommendations that will help strengthen student learning pathways.
- The task force will focus primarily on career education for grades 7-12 and how to effectively prepare students for seamless entry into post-secondary studies or employment. The task force includes leaders from industry, labour, the education system, post-secondary institutions and government departments.
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