Thursday, May 28, 2026 Skilled Trades Are in Demand in Alberta and Saskatchewan Major projects and workforce initiatives in Alberta and Saskatchewan drive opportunity for CLAC members. Guide Magazine By Dennis Perrin, Alberta and Saskatchewan Director Skilled trades continue to be in high demand in Alberta and Saskatchewan. CLAC-signatory contractors have a full book of work over the next couple of years, spanning industrial construction, industrial maintenance, and a variety of projects in the commercial and institutional sectors. Construction and Major Projects This demand is being driven not only by the Dow and Air Products projects in the greater Edmonton area, but also by the potash sector in Saskatchewan. Work continues at BHP’s Jansen mine as well as at the K+S solution mine near Bethune, Saskatchewan. This solution mine was the first original potash mine in Saskatchewan in 40 years and began construction in 2013. CLAC members constructed the majority of this project and will now be involved in most of its expansion, with work set to get underway immediately. No fewer than 400 skilled members will be required for this next phase of the project. Apprenticeship and Training CLAC is involved in several important initiatives to increase the supply of skilled trades across these high-demand projects. One key focus is working with our signatory employers to hire and retain apprentices. Across Canada, fewer than 50 percent of apprentices complete their training and attain their journeyperson credentials. There are a variety of factors influencing this, with the primary challenge being a lack of continuous employment. CLAC is working with contractors to ensure apprentices are not only hired but retained—especially during busy periods—so they can gain the training and experience needed to advance in their careers. CLAC is also partnering with industry and the Alberta government to launch several Red Seal challenger programs. These programs will use state-of-the-art adaptive learning platforms that are the first of their kind in trades training. The technology assesses each learner’s current knowledge base and adapts the curriculum to meet their specific needs as they prepare to write their Red Seal exam. The program will focus on high-demand trades, allowing workers to pursue more than one Red Seal certification. This approach not only supports the careers of hundreds of tradespeople but also strengthens the industry as a whole. In an effort to further support apprentices, CLAC in western Canada increased its bursary for eligible applicants last year. For up-to-date information, visit the Apprenticeship Programs section at clac.ca. Other Sectors CLAC continues to make meaningful progress on improving working conditions for members in the grocery, retail, warehousing, and education sectors. In education, we were pleased to welcome full-time faculty and instructors from Ambrose University in Calgary last year. Ambrose, a liberal arts and sciences university with approximately 900 students, recently saw this group of members ratify their first collective agreement, bringing important improvements to the terms and conditions of their work. Supporting Your Growth Across Alberta and Saskatchewan, demand for your skills remains strong, and the opportunities ahead are significant. CLAC’s focus is on ensuring you can access that work, build your skills, and benefit from the progress being made across industries. As the pace of activity continues, we remain committed to building capacity to support your growth and strengthen your opportunities in the years ahead. You might be interested in How to Manage an Insecure Leader 16 Jul 2026 Heat of the Moment 13 Jul 2026 The Power Within Is No Yolk! 13 Jul 2026 An Eye on Safety 10 Jul 2026