Indigenous youth connect with skilled trades in new mentorship program

Person seen showing their trades skills at the Edmonton Expo Centre on May 7, 2026. (Darcy Seaton/CTV News Edmonton)

A new pilot program is offering Indigenous youth a chance to get some hands-on experience with skilled trades.

Alberta’s government announced it’s spending $300,000 on the Building Indigenous Mentorship and Pathways Pilot Program to help strengthen career and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous youth. The province is also aiming to meet growing demand for skilled labour.

“A young, educated workforce is the engine that keeps Alberta moving forward. When we invest in youth, we’re investing in the future of every community, every business and every family,” said Rajan Sawhney, minister of Indigenous relations.

“When Indigenous youth succeed, Alberta succeeds.”

The program will connect youth with skilled trades careers while offering mentorship, travel support and direct links to employers. It focuses on community-based outreach and culturally informed guidance to help with training and employment opportunities in Alberta’s skilled trades sector.

Building Trades of Alberta (BTA) plans to host three Indigenous trades mentorship symposiums in Edmonton, Calgary and Fort McMurray as part of the initiative. The events will bring together Indigenous leaders, educators and skilled trades employers to discuss career pathways and upcoming job openings.

The mentorship component is something that one journeyman pipefitter not only believes is important, but life-changing for Indigenous youth.

“Before having a mentor, there were times when I doubted my abilities or questioned whether I was capable of reaching my goals. My mentor believed in me consistently and pushed me to believe in myself,” said Raymona Soosay from Alexander First Nation. “He taught me the importance of discipline, hard work, accountability and confidence and most importantly, he showed me that success is not only about skill.”

BTA will also launch a targeted recruitment campaign that will reach Indigenous communities province-wide through geo-targeted digital ads on Google, Meta, YouTube and Windspeaker media.

“The campaign will use AB testing and tailored materials from our role model campaign to ensure we connect authentically and effectively,” said Lyle Daniels with BTA.

“We are excited to deliver measurable results over the coming months and look forward to sharing the success stories that will emerge together. We’re not only building trades people, we’re building stronger communities and a stronger Alberta.”