Meant to help apprentices showcase skills, find careers in skilled trades
The government of Alberta has announced is putting $2 million more into Skills Canada Alberta’s annual funding over the next four years — an increase of $500,000 annually that it says will help apprentices better prepare for careers in skilled trades.
The increased investment will also help expand exposure to trades and technology at junior high and high schools, it says, and enable more high school and post-secondary students to compete at regional, provincial and national skilled trades competitions with Skills Canada Alberta.
“A skilled workforce is the backbone of a prosperous economy. We value the professional expertise skilled tradespeople bring to the workplace and the contribution they make to our province,” says Minister of Advanced Education Demetrios Nicolaides.
“We firmly believe apprenticeship learning and skilled trades training has every bit as much value, merit and worth as a university education.”
Participating in the competitions provides valuable hands-on experience in a specific trade or profession and opens people’s minds to many career opportunities, says Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange.
“This helps prepare future generations for the workforce and gives them the job-ready skills to ensure employability after high school and success in our economy.”
The government is also tripling the scholarship funding through a new $1.5-million High School Apprenticeship Scholarship and $10 million to the Women Building Futures foundation to create more career opportunities for women in skilled trades.
Alberta is also looking to increase its funding to CAREERS: The Next Generation organization to more than $6 million per year by 2022-23. This will help provide 6,000 students with paid internships and more learning opportunities in skilled trades and technology at junior high and high schools.
