The Alberta government on Tuesday launched a new platform of employment services, called WorkFirst Alberta. Employers can enroll to access a toolkit and labour market information. Next year, a jobseeker-employer matching and employer concierge services will go live. The program, which is funded with $185 million from Budget 2025, will also provide career planning, assistive technology and supported job placements for Albertans with disabilities or other barriers. Last year, 38,000 Albertans received employment services from the Assisted Living and Social Services Ministry, plus 8,000 employers. Of 9,000 youth who received support, 75 per cent moved into work or education. “We’re saying that world, it’s the right spot to invest in, and we’re almost doubling our yearly investment in this space,” said Minister Jason Nixon at a news conference in Red Deer, which is hosting the inaugural WorkFirst Alberta Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday. The ministry and WorkFirst have roughly 100 delivery partners. Two who joined Nixon on Tuesday said they’ve seen the difference investment in employment services can make. “We support more than 1,200 Albertans each year through our programs and wrap-around services and many of these participants that we support face real challenges: work history gaps, housing instability, mental health and addiction recovery and the need to retrain after life-changing events. With encouragement, structure and support, they move forward,” said John Corie, a managing partner at Ballad Group, which offers career path analysis, resume building and interview preparation. “We see their confidence return, and we see them stay employed and build reliable futures for themselves and for their families.” “This means more workshops, more re-skilling opportunities, and more person-centered career supports that meet people where they’re at. For job seekers, these investments mean easier access to career planning, assistive technology and supported job placements. It means wrap-around supports are available to people who can focus on their goals, not just their barriers. For employers, especially small and mid-sized businesses, WorkFirst Alberta means practical help, access to pre-screened candidates, support with onboarding and training and real solutions to common challenges like turnover and finding reliable staff,” added Kevin McNichol, CEO of Prospect Human Services, which helps people overcome barriers to employment.
