A $15 million investment campaign has been announced to fund scholarships for careers in Alberta’s construction industry.

The campaign is to address the current and future need for skilled tradespeople to improve the industry’s capacity to build homes.

“The shortage of skilled labour is the largest single issue our industry has ever faced, extending build times for new homes and putting at risk home affordability in our province,” said Jay Westman, CEO and chairman, Jayman BUILT. “I have chosen to lead by example and lead this investment campaign to make a notable impact in overcoming the financial concerns of students, while also bolstering our industry’s much-needed construction capacity across Alberta. This is an Alberta initiative with an Alberta solution.”

Westman issued a challenge to industry peers and community leaders to match funds raised to establish the BILD Alberta Scholarships for Construction Careers initiative, which has passed its initial $3 million goal, including $2 million donated by Westman.

With contributions from other leaders in the homebuilding community, including notable investments from Homes by Avi and Anthem Properties, more than $7 million has been committed. Westman said he will chair the campaign to reach the $15 million goal.

Tuition for apprentice and diploma programs at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) can surpass $5,000 for a four-year program. The campaign, if fulfilled, could fund approximately 3,000 awards for SAIT and NAIT homebuilding apprenticeship and pre-employment students with preference given to demographics underrepresented in the industry.

The student awards will cover the full range of residential construction careers, including carpentry, plumbing, sheet metal, electrician, bricklayer, cabinet maker, roofer, drywall, glazier, insulator and painter, for example, and will help workers on a pathway to their journeyperson certifications.