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By rdnewsNOW staff

residential construction

Alberta government to invest over $1.5 million into skilled trades training for Indigenous students

Dec 7, 2024 | 11:44 AM

The Government of Alberta plans to invest $1.5 million over the next three years in an effort to help Indigenous students meet the demands of residential construction.

In a media release, the government says as the provincial economy continues to grow so does the need for skilled tradespeople.

They expect the need to continue to rise over the next 10 years and they’re going to meet the needs of the industry and maximize opportunities for all Albertans by supporting trades education.

They’ll support Trade Winds to Success, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization founded in 2005, with an $1,507,263 investment over three years starting in 2024-25.

“Trade Winds to Success has an impressive history of helping Indigenous students to discover new career opportunities in the skilled trades, overcome barriers to education and thrive in the workplace,” said .Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. “Supporting Trade Winds is a win-win for Indigenous workers and Alberta’s economy.”

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Trade Winds to Success has helped helped increase the number of Indigenous people working in the industry with over 3,000 since they were founded.

The funding will support the organizations operations so they can offer great programs such as their residential construction program. The program is expected to have 156 participants enrol over the next three years with an 80 per cent completion and employment rate

“The multi-year funding announcement from the Ministry of Advanced Education is the perfect demonstration of reconciliation in action. We are grateful to the Honourable Rajan Sawhney for recognizing the importance of uplifting Indigenous people pursuing careers in the trades, knowing the impact we have on the Alberta economy,” said Linda Domak, president of the board of directors, Trade Winds to Success.

“Access to operational dollars not only allows us to address core needs but it also allows us to build capacity and plan for the future. Through quality pre-trades training, we can continue empowering the next generation of tradespeople while finding new ways to support their goals.”