Alberta launches 2-year pilot project to accelerate certification of high-demand trades

The Alberta government is investing nearly $4 million in a pilot project to speed up certification for high-demand trades.

The Alberta government is supporting a two-year pilot project to help workers get certified quicker for high-demand trades.

The pilot will target critical, high-demand trades such as welding, steamfitter-pipefitting, instrumentation and ironworking.

About 200 people will be part of the first pilot program.

The province says this pilot will use an adaptive learning program to help workers get credentials faster -- while also meeting trade safety standards.

“The platform assesses a learner’s existing knowledge, identifies gaps and tailors training to focus on what each individual needs,” said Joseph Schow, Alberta’s minister of jobs, economy, trade and immigration. “By focusing on those areas, it helps workers prepare more efficiently, while continuing to meet Alberta’s current certificate, certification requirements.”

The $4 million pilot is being done in collaboration with the Christian Labour Association of Canada.