A strong and reliable apprenticeship system is essential to meeting Alberta’s construction workforce needs and supporting delivery of the province’s capital plan. The latest results in the Registrar’s Report and Statistical Overview 2024-2025 show progress in expanding the talent pipeline for the construction sector, showing both employer efforts and targeted government investment.
According to the latest report, Alberta’s apprenticeship system reached record levels in 2024–25, with almost 73,000 registered apprentices and about 77,000 total program registrations. The Report confirms continued growth in the trades essential to Alberta’s construction sector, supported by increased participation and expanded training capacity. For construction employers, the data indicates progress in building the workforce pipeline.
Strong Growth Across Construction Trades
New registrations held strong at over 25,000. The electrician program remained the largest in the province with about 13,000 apprentices, a 16% increase year over year. The plumber program grew 24% and the carpenter program also increased by 15% year over year.
The insulator showed the most notable growth, reaching over 1,100 apprentices, an 89% increase, which represents an expansion in available training capacity for industrial and commercial contractors.
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) grew 32% to about 7,200 students, along with 2,784 completions. Construction trades saw broad increases, including Sheet Metal Worker (up 72%) and Electrician (up 42%). RAP students strengthen the early‑stage talent pipeline by entering the workforce with on‑the‑job hours already completed.
New Training Capacity Through Union Apprenticeship Grants
In April 2025, the Government of Alberta announced a three‑year, $15‑million Union Apprenticeship Grant Program to expand training delivery in high‑demand trades. To date, eight union training centres have received $8.4 million to deliver more than 1,600 apprenticeship seats, including about 400 seats available in fall 2025. The province also invested $75.5 million through the Apprenticeship Learning Grant to 11 publicly funded post‑secondary institutions to meet rising classroom demand.
Capacity Pressures Persist
Despite strong growth, the skilled trades workforce system continues to face constraints. Over 7,000 apprentices were on a waitlist without an alternative class option at their institution, though more than 85% had the ability to enroll elsewhere. Of the more than 25,000 apprentices who attended class in 2024-25, 14% applied without a sponsor and their completion rate of 75% remains below the 87% rate for sponsored apprentices. 55% have since secured an employer.
Completion Rates Holding Steady
The provincial completion rate reached 70% in 2024–25. Women completed at 65%. Indigenous apprentices saw the largest year‑over‑year improvement, rising to 66%.
ACA’s Focus Going Forward
Construction employers deliver approximately 80% of apprenticeship education on the job. A strong, skilled workforce is the foundation of Alberta’s construction industry, and ACA works with partners across education, government, and industry to attract new talent, support apprentices, and upskill existing workers so companies can meet today’s demands and prepare for what’s next.
Alberta’s construction sector continues to grow. Non‑residential construction employment is projected to rise by 9% between 2025 and 2034, and the industry will need to recruit and train about 63,100 new workers by 2033. Meeting this demand requires a coordinated, long‑term approach to workforce development.
ACA’s workforce development efforts focus on three key levers that strengthen Alberta’s labour pipeline:
- A strong apprenticeship system
- Smart, targeted use of immigration
- Industry‑led training that keeps skills current and productivity high
Apprenticeship is the backbone of Alberta’s construction workforce. ACA supports Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) as the primary pathway into the trades, combining paid on‑the‑job learning with technical training that leads to recognized certification.
ACA continues to advocate for:
- Increased apprenticeship funding and supports
- Stronger K–12 exposure to construction careers
- Programs like Trade Pathways, which have delivered hundreds of work placements with high hire rates
- Solutions to waitlist pressures and classroom seat capacity
- Continued development of the Industry Pathways initiative as the apprenticeship model expands into new occupations
The 2024–25 apprenticeship results show strong momentum across Alberta’s construction workforce. Sustaining this progress will require continued employer sponsorship and coordinated action to ensure the apprenticeship system can meet long‑term workforce needs.