Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions Kaycee Madu announced funding to support youths who are pursuing careers in the trades, March 24, 2023. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Trades

Province highlights support for youth pursuing careers in the trades

Mar 24, 2023 | 5:44 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Government of Alberta said it is partnering with two long-standing organizations to support opportunities for youth in the skilled trades and technology industries.

Officials say Budget 2023 invests a total of $30.4 million over three years in CAREERS: The Next Generation and Skills Canada Alberta, as they empower youth to build rewarding careers in the skilled trades.

Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions Kaycee Madu said, “Investing in the proven and complementary programs of CAREERS: The Next Generation and Skills Canada Alberta will help our youth discover engaging, high-demand careers that deliver an excellent quality of life and will keep our economic momentum going strong.”

The province adds that the apprenticeship learning model is a valuable form of work-integrated learning and a proven way to increase graduate readiness for the workplace.

Through targeted support for apprenticeship education, Alberta’s government said it is helping students develop job-ready skills while strengthening the talent pipeline for business and industry.

CAREERS: The Next Generation CEO Andy Neigel said, “We are excited for Alberta’s youth in this year’s budget announcement. Enabling our next generation to discover their career passion and become productive, motivated and innovative participants in the workplace is critically important to Alberta’s economic success.”

CAREERS: The Next Generation is a not-for-profit foundation that connects high school students with employers for participation in the Registered Apprenticeship Program. The organization also aims to promote apprenticeship education options for young Albertans.

Skills Canada Alberta is a not-for-profit organization that creates opportunities for young Albertans to explore careers in trades and technology. The organization leads participation in the Skills Canada National Competition.

Provincial officials say, in 2022, CAREERS connected 372 schools with 1,344 employers to arrange 2,430 internships for high school students interested in a career in the skilled trades. The government said Skills Canada Alberta works with about 19,000 students in 200 Alberta communities annually.