CALGARY, ALTA. – The Government of Alberta’s recent budget, specifically its measures to bolster investment in workforce development, economic immigration and critical infrastructure, is being praised by the Calgary Construction Association (CCA).
“Alberta’s construction sector plays a critical role in the province’s economic growth, and these investments will help address pressing workforce shortages while supporting much-needed infrastructure projects,” said Bill Black, president and CEO of the CCA, in a statement. “We commend the government’s proactive approach to skills training, apprenticeship support, and immigration pathways that will help build a strong, resilient construction workforce.”
The government has committed to expanding Alberta’s talent pipeline through a $135.5 million investment in apprenticeship programming, including $78 million to increase available seats.
This funding will provide more Albertans with access to skilled trades training and career opportunities, states the CCA.
The province is also allocating $1 million in planning funds for the Trades and Apprenticeship Promotional Plan, which encourages young people to pursue careers in skilled trades through hands-on learning.
A $70 million investment in Skills and Training Support programs will help Albertans transition into in-demand fields, including construction, through specialized training and re-training initiatives, the CCA adds.
In the budget, the government also stated it intends to remove barriers to speed up the credential recognition process for workers from other provinces and countries with equivalent standards.
The government is also advocating for expanded allocations under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program to enable the province to address specific labour shortages in sectors like construction where domestic recruitment is insufficient.
“Expanding skilled immigration pathways and streamlining credential recognition are key steps in ensuring Alberta has the workforce needed to meet our growing infrastructure demands,” added Black.
On the infrastructure front, up to 90 new schools and 24 modernized or replacement school projects were announced, creating 200,000 new and modernized educational spaces, the release reads. There will also be an expansion of the Modular Classroom Program, which is meant to provide rapid solutions to meet school capacity needs across the province.
When it comes to housing, the CCA also supports the continued implementation of Stronger Foundations, Alberta’s 10-year affordable housing strategy, which aims to provide affordable housing for 25,000 additional households by 2032-33.
The government’s $6 million investment in a Passenger Rail Master Plan and a 15-year transportation delivery strategy will help improve accessibility, efficiency and connectivity across Alberta, the CCA notes, adding it encourages further exploration of transportation infrastructure.
Lastly, the province’s $1.4 billion commitment to Recovery Alberta, a new provincial mental health and addiction agency, “is a critical investment in workforce well-being. Mental health challenges impact workers across all industries, including construction, and ensuring access to recovery-oriented services will support long-term health outcomes for Albertans,” the CCA states.
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