Alberta stands at a pivotal crossroads.
With $22 billion in planned energy sector projects and an estimated need for 20,000 new construction workers over the next decade, the province faces the formidable challenges of bridging the skilled labour gap to sustain its growth.
Add to this the economic uncertainties created by a rapidly changing relationship with Canada’s most longstanding trading partner — where American construction worksites can compete for Canadian materials and labour — and we are compelled to address such challenges with renewed urgency.
Over the last year Construction Labour Relations Alberta (CLRA) has pursued a “Seed versus Sod” strategy to address our labour issues.
“Sod” approaches focus on immediate solutions, such as attracting skilled workers from other regions or countries. They offer quick relief but come at high costs and retention challenges, especially when other jurisdictions compete with enticing offers.
“Seed” approaches cultivate local talent through education, training and mentorship, fostering a homegrown workforce deeply rooted in Alberta’s communities.
This year, CLRA is intensifying its efforts to nurture local talent. We’ve set a new goal of refreshing our Better SuperVision program with upgraded training modules for leaders and exploring new partnership opportunities with our employers and Building Trades Union affiliates across Western Canada. We’re addressing attrition in essential soft skills among younger workers.
We’re determined to improve access to communication, conflict resolution and digital tool training and to promote cross-generational collaboration and real-world problem-solving. Offerings like this will improve retention rates and increase leadership readiness across Alberta’s construction industry.
CLRA is also aligned with our partners in the Government of Alberta, the Building Trades of Alberta and stakeholders across the construction sector advocating for increased apprenticeship and mentorship opportunities for young people. Companies that foster these initiatives see enhanced employee engagement, reduced turnover and a more cohesive workforce.
CLRA is looking forward to discussing these issues and other industry trends this spring during our upcoming meeting with the Government of Alberta’s Skilled Trades caucus, chaired by MLA Ron Wiebe, and later this spring at our inaugural workforce development panel discussion, which will feature representatives from the Government of Alberta, NAIT and the Business Council of Alberta.
We know that workforce-led training supports industry-wide innovation by addressing leadership training gaps and developing transferable skills that ensure Alberta’s construction sector remains competitive.
The Government of Alberta’s recent budget of $5 million for building trade union training centres is a welcome recognition of the value of these programs. CLRA employers are the funding partners that make these training centres possible. CLRA members are eager to collaborate with program funders and operators to maximize the value of this investment.
However, cultivating a robust skilled labour force isn’t solely the industry’s responsibility. Educational institutions, government bodies and industry stakeholders must collaborate to create pathways that introduce young Albertans to the trades early on. This includes integrating trade education into school curriculums, offering more apprenticeships and providing clear information about the lucrative and fulfilling careers available in construction.
In Alberta and across Canada, the CLRA is working with our provincial and national counterparts to advocate for similar investments.
That advocacy will be on display this fall when the CLRA hosts the National Construction Labour Relations Alliance conference at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel in Calgary. The competition conference theme will inform how Canada’s construction industry recognizes, strategizes and executes initiatives that will attract, retain educate and train the workforce Canada needs to strengthen its economy.
Joe McFadyen is president of the CLRA. Send Industry Perspectives Op-Ed comments and column ideas to editor@journalofcommerce.com.
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