VIDEO: Medicine Hat College marks Apprenticeship Day with focus on skilled trades

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

—

GreenFox

Why waiting to replace your windows and doors could cost you more than you think

Jul 22, 2026

What's On

Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: September 25-27

Sep 25, 2026

What's On

Here is What's On in Medicine Hat this weekend: September 11-13

Sep 11, 2026

Medicine Hat College president and CEO Kevin Shufflebotham said the day highlights relationships among students, instructors, and industry.

“It celebrates trades; it celebrates the relationships our students have with faculty and the relationships that we have with industry,” Shufflebotham said.

“It’s just a great day to celebrate.”

The college offers programs in trades including automotive service technician, carpentry, electrical, heavy equipment technician, plumbing, steamfitting and pipefitting, and welding, along with several pre-employment programs.

Shufflebotham said the college’s instructors play an important role in preparing students for their careers, while local employers provide connections to the workforce.

“Anytime we can put a spotlight on trades, it’s important,” he said.

The college’s apprenticeship programs combine technical education with paid workplace experience, allowing students to develop skills while meeting workforce needs.

Shufflebotham said graduates of the programs contribute directly to the Medicine Hat region.

“Everything that gets built in Medicine Hat in our region is built or fixed or serviced by the graduates of our program,” Shufflebotham said.

“These students that come here contribute back to our region, and that’s what’s absolutely critical.”

The provincial government said Alberta has more than 81,000 registered apprentices, a record high for the province.

Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall said in a statement that the province has invested $100 million in apprenticeship training for the 2026-27 fiscal year, doubling apprenticeship seat funding at post-secondary institutions over the past four years.

The government also said its Union Apprenticeship Grant program supported eight union training centres and more than 1,600 apprenticeship seats in high-demand trades during its first year.

Shufflebotham said recognizing trades as a career option can help more people consider entering the sector.

“Anytime we can put the spotlight on it and say what a great career it is, it just gives other people the awareness that this is something I may want to do,” Shufflebotham said.