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Alberta’s government is investing $4 million in a new pilot program aimed at helping experienced trades workers gain certifications more quickly while remaining employed.

The two-year initiative, announced in partnership with the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), will provide access to an advanced adaptive learning platform designed to prepare workers for certification and Red Seal examinations. The program is intended to address labour shortages in key industries by allowing workers to build skills and earn credentials without stepping away from their jobs.

According to the province, the platform assesses a worker’s existing knowledge and creates a personalized learning pathway that focuses on areas where additional training is needed. By tailoring instruction to individual learners, officials say workers can progress more efficiently while still meeting all certification requirements.

"One of Alberta’s biggest strengths is our workforce," said Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration. "With new investment comes new demand for skilled workers to build the projects that choose Alberta. This program builds up our existing workforce and puts us even further ahead by partnering government with industry, delivering real economic results and benefit to Albertans."

The pilot is expected to support at least 200 workers in high-demand trades that play a critical role in Alberta’s economy and major industrial developments. These include welding, steamfitter-pipefitting, instrumentation and ironworking.

Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education, said the investment will help experienced workers obtain credentials faster while supporting major projects across the province.

"Alberta needs more certified trades professionals, and we need them faster," McDougall said. "This investment helps experienced workers build their skills, earn their credentials sooner, and get to work on the projects driving our economy forward."

CLAC, Canada’s largest independent multi-sector union, represents approximately 24,000 workers in Alberta, many of whom are employed in heavy industrial construction and maintenance. The organization will partner with Canadian training provider Built To Learn to deliver the adaptive learning technology.

Dennis Perrin, CLAC’s provincial director for Alberta and Saskatchewan, said the initiative aims to remove obstacles that often delay certification for experienced workers.

"Our members are skilled, committed and ready to be part of the solution to Canada’s growing skilled trades shortage, but too often they face barriers that slow their progress," Perrin said. "This initiative is about breaking those barriers down."

Built To Learn CEO Jason Bakalech said collaboration between government, industry, labour organizations and educators is essential to addressing long-standing workforce challenges.

"For decades, skilled labour shortages have challenged government, industry, labour organizations and educators alike," Bakalech said. "Adaptive learning does not replace traditional training or apprenticeship systems. It enhances them by creating personalized learning pathways and providing data-driven, real-time insights that help workers, educators and employers achieve better learning outcomes."

The province says the pilot program will run from March 27, 2026, to March 27, 2028, through a one-time grant. Participation will be available to individuals registered under Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s Trades Qualifier Program who meet existing eligibility requirements.

Officials emphasized that the initiative does not introduce a new certification process and will not alter existing skilled trades certification or Red Seal standards.

The government says lessons learned through the pilot could help shape future efforts to expand access to certification preparation across Alberta, strengthening the province’s skilled workforce and supporting employers facing ongoing labour demands.

For more information about the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Trades Qualifier Program, visit the Government of Alberta website at tradesecrets.alberta.ca/become-certified/trades-qualifier-programs.

Information for this article was sourced from the Government of Alberta website.