Category: Recruitment

Hot Jobs: Dec. 20, 2024

Posted on by Russell Hixson

Project Manager – Burnaby, B.C. – SitkaWest

Project Coordinator – Saskatoon, Sask. – Westridge Construction

Civil Construction Manager – Courtice, Ont. – Aecon

Senior Planner/Scheduler, Buildings – Vancouver, B.C. – Graham

Estimator – Vancouver, B.C. – Flynn Group

Civil Construction Project Manager – Bracebridge, Ont. – Fowler

Project Manager, Self Perform Operations – Vancouver, B.C. – Turner Construction

Estimator – Burnaby, B.C. – NorLand Limited

Sr. Project Coordinator – Aecon Group – Delta, B.C.

Civil Construction Project Manager – Bracebridge, Ont. – Fowler Construction

Construction Manager – Squamish, B.C. – Pomerleau

Western Operations Manager – Vancouver, B.C. – Nucor Rebar

Manager, Construction – Montreal, Que. – Aecon

Construction Site Manager – Canmore, Alta. – Highpoint Developments

Director, Finance Operations – Toronto, Ont. – DOZR

Project Manager, Warranties – Vancouver, B.C. – Axiom Builders

Project Manager, Mechanical Works – Pickering, Ont. – Aecon Group

Project Manager, Flynn Industrial – Slave Lake, Alta. – Flynn Group

Estimating Lead – Montreal, Que. – Bechtel

Field Coordinator, Energy Construction – Elkford, B.C. – Kiewit

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ontario government is investing $3 million over three years in Helmets to Hardhats Canada to help 650 active and former Canadian Armed Forces members transition to civilian careers in the construction sector, addressing both veteran needs and a skilled labor shortage in Ontario.
  • The investment will allow Helmets to Hardhats Canada to expedite skills training and offer safety and specialized certifications for in-demand construction roles, with specific outreach for racialized and Indigenous veterans, as well as veterans with disabilities.
  • Including previous contributions, Ontario’s total support for Helmets to Hardhats exceeds $4.7 million, alongside the newly introduced Honouring Veterans Act, 2024, which emphasizes the province’s commitment to supporting veterans and commemorating their service.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is investing $3 million over three years in Helmets to Hardhats Canada to help 650 active and former Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members transition to civilian life by training them for careers in Ontario’s construction sector.

Officials say this investment will help fill a gap in Ontario’s employment and training resources, while addressing the unique needs and experiences of our military veterans.

“We owe our veterans, who have put their lives on the line in defence of our freedom, safety and values, a debt that we can never fully repay,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s announcement is just one way our government is working to give back, so veterans can transition from the armed forces to rewarding careers in the skilled trades with the support and training they need. This week, we also introduced the Honouring Veterans Act, 2024, to ensure we always remember the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.”

With this investment, Helmets to Hardhats Canada will be able to expand job-ready skills training to more veterans and accelerate their pathways from active military service to apprenticeships in construction by two to three months. Helmets to Hardhats Canada will also be able to deliver access to critical safety training and specialized certifications for in-demand careers and expand their outreach programs for racialized and Indigenous veterans and those with disabilities.

David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, (left) meets with workers.

“We have a social contract with our military servicemen and women who protect our country and preserve our freedoms, which means we have a responsibility to ensure they have a civilian life to transition to when their service is complete,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “With around 8,000 Canadian Armed Forces members released from service every year, our government is proud to work with Helmets to Hardhats and unions to deliver job-ready training to veterans that leverages their expertise and experience, and lands them in a new career. Because a career in construction is more than a paycheque – it offers a stable future and a community of workers who have your back.”

The government also supports Helmets to Hardhats Canada through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund Training Stream, investing over $915,000 to open new pathways to 105 participants into Ontario’s unionized construction sector and develop customized training for senior cadets. This brings Ontario’s total investment in Helmets to Hardhats Canada to over $4.7 million.

Director, Safety Operations – Surrey, B.C. -Western Pacific Enterprises 

Project Director – Edmonton, Alta. – SiteTalent

Senior Estimator – Montreal, Que – PCL

Graphic Designer – Abbotsford, B.C. – SitePartners

Senior Instrumentation & Controls Designer – Abbotsford, B.C. – SiteTalent

Videographer – Abbotsford, B.C. – SitePartners

PLC Programmer – Guelph, Ont. – SiteTalent

Vice President, Finance – Burnaby, B.C. – ETRO Construction

Senior Construction Project Manager – Halifax, N.S. – Southwest Properties

Senior Estimator – Toronto, Ont. – KAPP Infrastructure

Senior Building Enclosure Engineer – Canmore, Alta. – ISL

Senior Project Manager, Commercial+Projects – North Vancouver, B.C. – Naikoon Contracting

Director of Construction – Calgary, Alta. – Highpoint Developments

Project Manager – Winnipeg, Man. – Bockstael Construction

Senior Site Superintendent – Fillmore Construction – Edmonton, Alta.

Project Manager – Burnaby, B.C. – Marcon

Key Takeaways:

  • McNaughton emphasized the importance of skilled trades in building Canada and highlighted efforts in both Ontario and Alberta to attract and support skilled workers, including newcomers, to address labour shortages and enhance local economies.
  • He focused on making the trades more inclusive, particularly for women, by introducing measures such as properly fitting PPE and women-only facilities on job sites, aiming to create a more welcoming and equitable work environment.
  • He discussed Ontario’s “Working for Workers” reforms, which introduced significant labour rights improvements, such as banning non-compete clauses, enhancing rights for gig workers, and guaranteeing washroom access for truck drivers, reflecting a broader commitment to worker empowerment.

The Whole Story:

Ontario’s former Minister of Labour, Monte McNaughton, may have exited politics, but he is still advocating for the construction sector.

McNaughton delivered a keynote speech at Premier Danielle Smith’s third annual Summit on Fairness for Newcomers in Calgary, focusing on the importance of skilled trades and government efforts to support newcomers and workers across Canada.

Speaking at the summit, McNaughton emphasized the critical role tradespeople play in building the country, building it from coast to coast to coast. He praised Premier Smith’s leadership and highlighted the partnership between Alberta and Ontario, both of which have shared initiatives to bolster the trades and welcome skilled newcomers.

McNaughton meets with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

Reflecting on his time as Minister of Labour, McNaughton underscored the need to shift societal perceptions of skilled trades, which he described as “meaningful, well-paying, and exciting” careers. He pointed to Ontario’s success in increasing apprenticeship registrations by 24%, including a 30% rise in the number of women entering the trades.

McNaughton’s efforts in Ontario included the launch of the “Level Up” skilled trades career fairs and the creation of Skilled Trades Ontario, a new agency aimed at streamlining the path to becoming a tradesperson. These initiatives, he explained, were designed to address the long-standing challenges in attracting youth to the trades, starting as early as Grade One to get students excited about careers in fields like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.

He also focused on making the skilled trades more inclusive for women.

“For far too long, the skilled trades have been unwelcoming to many women,” McNaughton said, highlighting legislation that mandated properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for women in construction, ending the days of “pink it and shrink it.” Ontario also introduced rules requiring private, enclosed washrooms on job sites, including at least one women-only facility.

McNaughton also touched on his work in supporting newcomers, particularly in skilled trades. He lauded Alberta’s and Ontario’s efforts to give provinces more control over immigration, allowing them to better meet local labour market needs.

“Provinces should have a greater say in the immigration system—both in selecting the skilled immigrants our provinces need and in terms of numbers,” he stated.

Monte McNaughton meets with training group Hammer Heads during his time as Labour Minister. – Monte McNaughton / Twitter

Turning to labour rights, McNaughton discussed his “Working for Workers” initiatives in Ontario, which included landmark labour reforms. These changes included guaranteeing washroom access for truck drivers, banning non-compete clauses, and providing new rights for gig workers.

He noted, “We passed legislation in Ontario—I’m very proud of our Working for Workers bills,” which he framed as critical steps to empower workers and support their rights.

In closing, McNaughton emphasized the shared vision between Alberta and Ontario in building a working-class future. He praised the leadership of Alberta’s Premier Smith and her government’s recent pro-worker initiatives, including updates to private sector pension plans for construction trades, ensuring security for 180,000 workers and pensioners across Canada.

“Our mission is to leave no one behind and help lift everyone up through meaningful employment, creating purpose-driven lives,” McNaughton concluded, expressing optimism for the future of Canada’s skilled workforce and the broader economy.

McNaughton announced his resignation from provincial politics on Sept. 22, 2023, to pursue a career in the private sector. McNaughton had served as an MPP for 12 years and held his cabinet position for over four years. 

Sr. Estimator, Cladding – Edmonton, Alta. – United Roofing

Project Manager – London, Ont. – Bre-Ex Construction

Director, Building Permits – Coquitlam, B.C. – City of Coquitlam

Senior Construction Project Manager, Commercial + Projects – North Vancouver, B.C. – Naikoon Contracting

Senior Estimator – Calgary, Alta. – Graham

Senior Technology Project Manager – Mississauga, Ont. – EllisDon

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ontario government is investing over $9 million to train 2,300 workers in the manufacturing and construction sectors in Windsor, focusing on skilled trades, electric vehicle development, and battery technology.
  • A substantial $4.7 million investment will fund a new 24,000 square foot training facility for electrical workers in Windsor, part of the broader $224 million Skills Development Fund Capital Stream to support infrastructure for skilled trades training.
  • The funding also includes $3 million to train 1,500 workers in the auto sector, particularly in electric vehicle and battery development, with initiatives like the Automotive Innovation Challenge to connect students with job opportunities.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is investing over $9 million to train approximately 2,300 manufacturing and construction sector workers in Windsor. This includes a $4.7 million investment to build a new training facility for local electrical workers through the new $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream. This brings Ontario’s total investment in Windsor workers through SDF since 2021 to over $15.6 million.

“With its long history as a manufacturing powerhouse, Windsor is at the heart of our government’s plan to bring good-paying manufacturing jobs, including in the growing electric vehicle and battery sector, back to Ontario,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Today’s more than $9 million in investments from our government’s Skills Development Fund will support the world-class workers here in Windsor who are rebuilding Ontario’s economy by ensuring they have the skills and training they need to secure better jobs and bigger paycheques for years to come.”

The funding comes from both the Training and Capital streams of the SDF, which are designed to recruit, train and upskill workers and build or upgrade training centres for the skilled trades. These projects include:

  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 773: $5,511,476 through SDF Capital and Training Streams to train over 600 new electrical workers and build a new training facility in Windsor. This includes $4,748,066 through the SDF Capital stream to build a new 24,000 square foot training centre in Windsor, as well as $763,410 through the SDF Training stream, to train new electrical workers and connecting apprentices with employers so new workers can quickly land jobs and apply their training in manufacturing and construction.
  • Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN): $3 million through the SDF Training stream to develop local training programs for approximately 1,500 auto sector workers in Windsor and across the province, with a focus on electric vehicle and battery development. This includes setting up an Automotive Innovation Challenge for students at the University of Windsor and Ontario Tech University and enhancing the OVIN Learning Hub’s capacity by adding a new job placement portal that will connect students with employers in their communities.
  • International Association of Bridge and Ironworkers Local 700: $512,836 through the SDF Training stream to train and upskill at least 170 new ironworkers and apprentices, including investing in enhanced instructional equipment and technology.

“As Ontario leads the world in electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing, our government is proud to work with labour and industry partners to ensure auto workers in Windsor and across the province have the opportunities and skills to thrive in this rapidly growing sector,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Through our Skills Development Fund, we’re providing cutting-edge training programs and building a new training facility in Windsor to deliver better training, better jobs and bigger paychecks for thousands more auto workers who are driving our economy forward.”

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream with up to $260 million in available funding, the largest funding round since the fund launched in 2021. With the fifth round of SDF Training Stream and the Capital Stream, this brings the government’s investment up to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

Vice President, Engineering – Toronto, Ont. – Bruce Power

Director of Construction – Calgary, Alta. – SunGrid

Leader, Project Management – Calgary, Alta. – City of Calgary

Project Director, Commercial – Edmonton, Alta. – Bird Construction

Senior Project Manager – Sudbury, Ont. – Stantec

General Manager – Ashton, Ont. – Thomas Cavanagh Developments

Senior Civil Project Manager – Toronto, Ont. – PCL Construction

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ontario government is investing over $26 million in LiUNA 183’s Vaughan campus, part of the $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, to support training for over one million workers across the province.
  • As part of this capital project, LiUNA 183 will build a new industrial workshop and new classrooms on their Vaughan campus to deliver both hands-on and in-class training, as well as a renovated union hall with increased capacity for the new workers and apprentices. 
  • LiUNA 183 will nearly double its training capacity to 100,000 workers, helping meet the demand for skilled trades in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), particularly in fields like bricklaying, heavy equipment operation, and concrete finishing.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is investing over $26 million to build a new training centre at LiUNA 183’s skilled trades training campus in Vaughan.

This investment comes from the province’s new $224 million Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream, which was announced by Premier Doug Ford in June 2023. The funding is expected to support the training of more than one million workers across Ontario.

With this new training centre, LiUNA 183 will be able to train nearly 50,000 additional new workers, doubling their current training capacity to almost 100,000 workers, for in-demand careers in construction across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), such as bricklaying, heavy equipment operators and concrete finishing.

“Through our new $224 million Skills Development Fund Capital Stream, our government is continuing to support the world-class Ontario workers who are rebuilding our province’s economy,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I’m so pleased that we are able to work with LiUNA 183 to help nearly 50,000 additional workers from across the GTA access the skills and training they need to find better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.”

As part of this capital project, LiUNA 183 will build a new industrial workshop and new classrooms on their Vaughan campus to deliver both hands-on and in-class training, as well as a renovated union hall with increased capacity for the new workers and apprentices. LiUNA’s Vaughan skilled trades campus delivers their largest training program in Canada and offers students the opportunity to build a full-size two-storey residential home within the centre.

“Under Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build Ontario: from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, and clean energy projects powering our economy,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development. “But as a large share of experienced tradespeople are retiring over the coming years, we must transfer the skills and expertise from the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of students. That’s why we’re partnering with LiUNA 183 to train almost 100,000 new construction workers who will leverage the wisdom of experienced tradespeople to build Ontario’s bright future.”

LiUNA 183’s new training centre is an example of how Ontario is partnering with labour organizations, employers, and local organizations through the SDF Capital Stream to increase their capacity to train and upskill workers for in-demand careers in the trades through building, expanding, and repairing training facilities. The SDF Capital Stream program complements the successful SDF Training Stream, through which the government helps organizations deliver training for in-demand careers in the trades, including construction, manufacturing, technology and healthcare.

Applications are open for the government’s fifth round of SDF Training Stream with up to $260 million in available funding, the largest funding round since the fund launched in 2021. With the fifth round of SDF Training Stream and the Capital Stream, this brings the government’s investment up to $1.4 billion to grow Ontario’s workforce for in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

Executive, Client Solutions – Calgary, Alta. – On Side Restoration

Senior Project Manager, High Residential – Toronto, Ont. – Broccolini

Senior Environmental Specialist – Richmond, B.C. – Flatiron Construction

Equipment Superintendent, Highway Maintenance – Kelowna, B.C. – Ledcor

Project Director – Toronto, Ont. – Chandos Construction

Senior Project Manager – Vancouver, B.C. – Turner Construction

Senior Project Manager – Toronto, Ont. – Metrolinx

Senior Project Accountant – Edmonton, Alta. – Ledcor

Superintendent – Winnipeg, Man. – Aecon Group

Senior Estimator – Edmonton, Alta. – PCL Construction 

Senior Construction Manager – Vancouver, B.C. – Areva Living

Vice President, Development – Vancouver, B.C. – Grosvenor

Senior Project Manager – Calgary, Alta. – Graham Construction

Senior Site Superintendent – Edmonton, Alta. – Fillmore Construction

Senior Account Executive – Markham, Ont.

Project Manager – North Vancouver, B.C.

Senior Multi-Family Estimator – Calgary, Alta.

Senior Estimator (Townhomes) – Calgary, Alta.

Junior Mechanical Estimator – Markham, Ont.

Senior Project Manager – Newmarket, Ont.

Senior Mechanical Estimator – Markham, Ont.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ontario and Nova Scotia have signed an MOU to facilitate the movement of skilled tradespeople between the provinces, addressing labour shortages and enhancing workforce competitiveness.
  • Both provinces aim to create more pathways for apprentices and journeypersons, with Ontario specifically seeking to improve the labour supply and Nova Scotia focusing on removing barriers to credential recognition.
  • Ontario’s partnership with Nova Scotia builds on previous agreements with Alberta and other Atlantic provinces, aiming to harmonize efforts and remove barriers to the flow of skilled labour across Canada.

The Whole Story:

The governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve interprovincial mobility for skilled tradespeople, including post-journeyperson certification.

Ontario is seeking new ways to improve the labour supply and create the opportunity for qualified skilled tradespeople to become certified in Ontario and address labour shortages. At the same time, Nova Scotia aims to create a competitive workforce by opening up pathways into trades for more apprentices and removing barriers for credential recognition to meet labour market demands.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government has an ambitious plan to build the highways, hospitals, and homes our growing communities need, which means we need to create more pathways for apprentices and journeypersons who will help us build Ontario,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Building on the success of our MOU with the Government of Alberta last month, we’re excited to partner with Nova Scotia to improve interprovincial mobility for skilled tradespeople and explore new opportunities with the Atlantic provinces. This will help fill in-demand jobs across both provinces and support our mutual goals of building stronger communities.”

Ontario’s MOU with Nova Scotia builds on the MOU Ontario signed with Alberta in July to collaborate on growing the skilled trades and remove barriers for the flow of labour between these two jurisdictions, complementing ongoing work to harmonize Red Seal trades nationally. Ontario is also working with the governments of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador to exchange innovative ideas on removing the interprovincial barriers in the skilled trades.

“Nova Scotia is a growing province and we need even more skilled trade workers to build our homes and hospitals infrastructure and provide services to Nova Scotians,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “We are making bold decisions to make it easier to fairly assess qualified professionals and improve labour supply.”

The Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Nova Scotia will be reviewed in 18 months.

Calgary Construction Association (CCA) is launching a massive effort to teach Alberta children about skilled trades careers and the construction sector.

The association’s Education Fund announced a new collaboration with Honour The Work that will bring a skilled-trades curriculum supplement program to 850 Calgary Classrooms and over 30,000 elementary students this Fall.

Honour the Work, founded by educators and supported by industry leaders, aims to address the skilled trades labour shortage by sparking interest in these careers from an early age. The centerpiece of the program is the curriculum-compliant STEAMS Kits, (Science – Technology – Engineering – Math – Skills) which are designed for grades 1-6 and include hands-on activities that connect classroom learning to real-world skilled trades careers. Each kit features comprehensive lesson plans, curricular expectations, digital resources, building materials, and diverse children’s books about skilled trades.

First launched in Ontario to tremendous success, the Honour the Work program will be piloted in Calgary schools, including both the Calgary Catholic School District and the Calgary Board of Education.

“We are proud that through the Calgary Construction Association Education Fund and our funding partners, we are making one of the largest direct industry investments into elementary school education related to skilled trades in Canadian history,” said CCA officials.

To sustain and expand the Honour the Work program’s reach and impact, the association is seeking additional donations and partnerships. They explained that by supporting the initiative, the industry can help create a generational shift in the perception of skilled trades, empower educators, and provide hands-on learning experiences for thousands of students. They added that this involvement will contribute to addressing the skilled trades labour crisis and ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.

“Together, we can make a profound impact on the future of skilled trades and education in our community,” said the association.

Director of Architectural Design – Calgary, Alta. – Jayman BUILT

Site Superintendent – Burnaby, B.C. – Kindred Construction

Site Manager – Alma, Que. – BPDL Bétons Préfabriqués

Director of Construction – Calgary, Alta. – SunGrid

Senior Director, Talent Acquisition – Montreal, Que. – AtkinsRéalis

Senior Project Manager – Vancouver, B.C. – Black & McDonald

Site Superintendent, Civil Construction – Victoria, B.C. – Stone Pacific Contracting

Key Takeaways:

  • The Alberta government has placed an “indefinite hold” on the Canada-Alberta Job Grant program for the rest of the fiscal year due to a $70.8 million cut in Labour Market Transfer Agreement (LMTA) funding from the federal government.
  • The termination of the Canada-Alberta Job Grant program will disproportionately affect small/medium enterprises in Alberta, especially within the construction industry. These businesses rely heavily on the grant to subsidize employee training costs.
  • The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) expressed deep disappointment with the funding cuts, highlighting the Canada-Alberta Job Grant as crucial for bridging the skills gap in the construction industry.

The Whole Story:

Alberta is putting an “indefinite hold” on the Canada-Alberta Job Grant program for the rest of the fiscal year in response funding cuts from the federal government.

Provincial officials noted that Ottawa unexpectedly announced its decision to cut $70.8 million in Labour Market Transfer Agreement (LMTA) funding for Alberta.

Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Matt Jones stated that he sent several letters to the federal government, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages Randy Boissonnault urging them to reconsider the cuts.

“As a result of this cut, Alberta’s employers will be short roughly $10 million in skills and training funding for 2024-25. This means approximately 1,000 businesses, and the training for up to 4,000 Albertan employees, will be impacted,” said Jones.

He explained that LMTAs support important workforce development programs that help Albertans get the training they need to find and keep good jobs. This includes the Canada-Alberta Job Grant program, which provided nearly $27 million in 2023-24 to Alberta employers so new workers could be properly trained. This funding also supported existing employees in gaining job-related skills, with small- and medium-sized businesses receiving approximately 80% of the overall funding.

“This cut to funding has serious, far-reaching consequences for workers and comes at a time when Alberta continues to face critical skills shortages in several industries, including construction, health care and education,” said Jones. “The Canada-Alberta Job Grant program has helped thousands of Albertans close skills gaps, further strengthening Alberta’s labour market and growing our economy.”

The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) stated that it was “deeply disappointed” by the province’s decision to cut the program and the initiative has been instrumental in the development of a highly skilled workforce within the construction industry.

“The Canada-Alberta Job Grant has been a cornerstone program to bridge the skills gap in the construction industry,” said Bill Black, president and CEO of the association. “In an industry that is constantly evolving and facing a shortage of qualified professionals, this grant has enabled businesses to invest in their employees, ensuring they possess the latest skills and knowledge to meet the demands of modern construction projects while developing a skilled workforce.”

The group explained that the termination of the Canada-Alberta Job Grant program will ultimately and disproportionately affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the construction industry. They noted that unlike larger corporations that often have the resources to invest independently in workforce training, SMEs heavily rely on this grant to subsidize the costs of upskilling their employees. Without this crucial funding, many smaller businesses will struggle to provide the necessary training to their workforce, hindering their ability to stay competitive, adopt new technologies, and meet evolving industry standards.

The CCA emphasized that investing in workforce development is not just a matter of economic necessity but a strategic priority for the future of industry and province. They stressed that skilled trade workers are the backbone of construction, driving innovation, safety, and quality in every project.

In the next decade, 700,000 of the four million Canadians who work in the trades are expected to retire. Moreover, according to data analyzed by Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade, there were 7,560 construction trades and management job vacancies in the Calgary economic region in Q3 2023, representing a staggering one-quarter of all job vacancies (30,500) in the city.

“The decision to cut this funding undermines the progress we have made in building a robust and competitive construction workforce in Alberta,” said Black. “We urge both the provincial and federal governments to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions to address the funding gap. Ensuring continuous support for workforce training programs is vital to maintaining Alberta’s competitive edge and achieving long-term economic prosperity.”