The Alberta government is increasing skilled trades funding to provide young people more opportunities to explore trades careers and showcase their talents on the national stage.
Skills Canada Alberta funding will be increased to $8 million over the next four years. The increased investment, to $2 million from $1.5 million annually, will help expand exposure to trades and technology at junior high and high schools, and enable more high school and post-secondary students to compete at regional, provincial and national skilled trades competitions with Skills Canada Alberta.
“Alberta’s high number of talented apprentices is a result of the strong links between industry, government and education stakeholders. We greatly appreciate this government’s support of Skills Canada Alberta as we work to promote respected careers in the trades and technologies, and ensure apprentices have the skills they need to succeed. Their success is good for Alberta,” said Ray Massey, president, Skills Canada Alberta.
The Alberta government also provided Skills Canada Alberta with $200,000 to support Alberta’s participation in the 2019 WorldSkills international competition, held in Kazan, Russia, in August. Four highly talented young Albertans were selected to join Team Canada and compete with more than 1,300 apprentices from over 70 countries around the world.
In addition to showcasing the talents of Alberta’s youth at provincial, national and international competitions, Skills Canada Alberta provides opportunities for young people to learn more about careers in the trades and technologies. By working collaboratively with industry, Skills Canada Alberta connects youth directly with employers and in-demand jobs.
Other apprenticeship funding announced include tripling the amount of scholarship funding through the new $1.5-million High School Apprenticeship Scholarship, providing $10 million over the next four years to Women Building Futures and increasing funding to CAREERS: The Next Generation, to more than $6 million a year by 2022-23.
