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Advocacy / Workforce Development

Workforce Development

ACA Workforce Development

A strong, skilled workforce is the foundation of Alberta’s construction industry. 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 industry is growing, and so is the demand for people. 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.

 

With 36,968 apprentices in Alberta skilled construction trades, ACA’s workforce development efforts focus on three key levers: a strong apprenticeship system, smart use of immigration, and industry-led training that keeps skills current and productivity high.

Apprenticeship

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.

 

We advocate for:

  • Increased apprenticeship funding and support
  • Stronger K–12 exposure to construction careers 
  • Programs like Trade Pathways, which have already delivered hundreds of work placements with exceptionally high hire rates for participants who complete their placements

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT)

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) is a pathway into the skilled trades in our province. Through AIT, apprentices combine paid on-the-job experience with technical training that leads to recognized trade certification and long-term career opportunities in construction.

Learn More About AIT

Immigration

Immigration plays a vital role in closing immediate skill gaps and building a stable, long-term construction workforce that can support Alberta’s growth.

 

ACA supports:

  • Effective use of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
  • Clear, timely pathways that help skilled workers bring their experience to Alberta’s construction sites
  • Collaboration with provincial and federal partners to better align immigration streams with real, on-the-ground industry needs

Industry-Led Training

ACA promotes and supports industry-led training, through LCAs, employers, and partners like Digital Trades Person and Trade Pathways, to deliver practical, job-ready skills that keep Alberta’s construction workforce productive, safe, and future-ready.

 

ACA champions and supports:

  • Training driven by employers and LCAs, focused on real jobsite skills
  • Job grants and productivity programs to help offset training costs
  • Programs like Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG) to upskill and reskill our construction workforce making it more productive by keeping pace with our changing industry.
  • Digital skills adoption, including Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and emerging tools like AI and reality capture