On July 30, the Alberta Construction Association was pleased to meet with the Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration. Representing ACA were Senior Vice Chair Lois Innes and Executive Director Warren Singh.
The discussion centred on supporting the continued growth of Alberta’s construction industry to meet the province’s expanding infrastructure needs. ACA emphasized the vital role our sector plays in delivering essential projects, driving economic growth, and creating skilled jobs.
Highlighting Local Contributions to Workforce Development
We showcased the contributions of our local construction association partners in introducing young Albertans to rewarding careers in the skilled trades. This includes impactful programs such as:
- Honour The Work – Promoting the trades in K-6 education as a first-choice career path.
- Tools for Schools – Providing resources to enhance hands-on learning in classrooms.
- Try-a-Trade Fairs – Giving students the opportunity to experience different trades firsthand.
Expanding Trade Pathways
Minister Schow and ACA discussed the importance of expanding Trade Pathways to grow Alberta’s talent pipeline. With youth unemployment remaining a challenge, strengthening partnerships between industry, government, and educators is more important than ever.
Modern Construction Workforce Initiative
We also shared ACA’s Modern Construction Workforce initiative, aimed at equipping members with digital skills and enhancing their ability to adopt new technologies on the jobsite—ensuring Alberta’s industry remains competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Welcoming the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant
ACA welcomed the recent announcement of the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant, recognizing it as a strategic investment in industry-led training and upskilling efforts. This program will help construction companies adapt to emerging technologies and increase productivity.
Looking Ahead
We thank Minister Schow for his time and his commitment to working with ACA. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Ministry to build a resilient, skilled, and future-ready construction workforce for Alberta.