The federal government is investing more than $2.1 million to expand a skilled trades training program aimed at helping young Canadians pursue apprenticeship careers in Alberta and British Columbia.
Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli announced the funding Wednesday for The Educational Partnership Foundation’s Trades Careers program, bringing the federal government’s total investment in the initiative to nearly $5.7 million.
The funding will support training opportunities over the next year through the Union Training and Innovation Program under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy.
Program supports apprenticeships
The Trades Careers program works with union partners to help young people gain skills, workplace experience and apprenticeship certification in Red Seal trades through a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
The federal government said the additional funding is expected to help more than 1,000 young Canadians prepare for careers in the skilled trades.
“This investment will help more than 1,000 young Canadians in our communities gain skills, apprenticeship training and certification opportunities, preparing the next generation of skilled trades workers to build their futures and strengthen Canada’s workforce,” Zerucelli said in a statement.
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Part of Team Canada Strong strategy
The announcement is part of the federal government’s broader Team Canada Strong workforce strategy, unveiled in the 2026 Spring Economic Update.
The plan includes $6 billion over five years to recruit, train and hire between 80,000 and 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers by 2033.
Ottawa has also committed an additional $2 billion through new agreements with provinces and territories to expand access to pre-apprenticeship and technical training.
The federal government says the investments are intended to help meet growing demand for skilled workers needed to build homes, transportation infrastructure and defence projects.
Demand for skilled workers growing
Employment and Social Development Canada estimates the country will need more than 1.4 million new skilled trades workers by 2033.
Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to the minister of Energy and Natural Resources and MP for Calgary Confederation, said the investment will help address workforce needs in Alberta.
“Investing in skilled trades means investing in Alberta’s future,” Hogan said.
“This funding will help more young Albertans gain the training, experience and credentials they need to build rewarding careers while strengthening the skilled workforce that supports our communities, builds new homes and infrastructure and drives economic growth across the province.”
Program builds on previous investments
The Educational Partnership Foundation said the funding will allow the organization to continue introducing young people to careers in the skilled trades while helping address labour shortages.
“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy for investing in The Educational Partnership Foundation’s Trades Careers program,” said president and CEO Barb Simic.
The federal government said the Union Training and Innovation Program has supported more than 173,000 participants since 2017.
Building on funding announced in Budget 2025, Ottawa has committed an additional $225 million to help union-run training centres upgrade facilities, expand training capacity and purchase modern equipment.