Advanced Education (News Archive)

2005 News Releases

April 20, 2005

Government taking action to meet skilled-labour demand

Edmonton... The Alberta government is stepping up efforts to address the demand for skilled labour this year, with nearly $20 million more being spent in two departments in Budget 2005. A number of new initiatives are being planned and current programs are expanding in areas such as apprenticeship training, skills upgrading, and attracting more under-represented groups.

"Industry has told us there is a high demand for skilled labour in a number of fields, and Alberta's priority is to find home-grown solutions to address those needs," said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. "There's no one answer to meeting this demand, so we are working on a number of initiatives to increase training spaces and develop innovative methods for training and certification."

In the 2005 budget for Advanced Education and Technology, there is a $5.7-million boost for apprenticeship training spaces to $22.5 million this year. Government is working with the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board to increase apprenticeship spaces, implement new trades and occupations, work with under-represented groups who want to obtain skills, and develop refresher programs for workers wishing to upgrade skills and obtain certification. As well, innovative approaches to industry training are being developed, such as mobile classes that provide training for apprentices at their worksite and distance delivery initiatives.

"We're putting more money into the development of skills than ever before," added Human Resources and Employment (HRE) Minister Mike Cardinal. "Alberta's success relies on ensuring Albertans are prepared for the workforce."

Human Resources and Employment is spending $14 million more this year than last year in skills training. Overall in 2005/06, HRE is expected to spend $288 million on a number of Alberta Works' initiatives aimed at helping people get the training and information they need to get and keep meaningful employment.

The extra funding will help over 2,000 more people take academic upgrading, English as a second language training, job skills training, immigrant bridging programs, and workplace training.

These initiatives were announced as part of Budget 2005 and are a major component of Alberta's 20-year strategic plan, which is government's vision for Alberta in the next century.