As Alberta’s economy continues to grow, so does the need for skilled tradespeople, and that demand is expected to continue to rise over the next decade. Meeting the needs of industry and maximizing opportunities for Albertans means promoting and supporting trades education to all communities, including Indigenous people.
Alberta’s government is supporting Trade Winds to Success with an investment of $1,507,263 over three years, beginning in 2024-25. Trade Winds to Success is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization, which helps Indigenous students train for rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
“Trade Winds to Success has an impressive history of helping Indigenous students to discover new career opportunities in the skilled trades, overcome barriers to education and thrive in the workplace. Supporting Trade Winds is a win-win for Indigenous workers and Alberta’s economy.”
"Indigenous-led non-profit organizations like Trade Winds to Success help ensure that Indigenous Peoples are included at every level of the economy – as owners, workers and partners. This funding will help Indigenous students gain valuable training in the trades, and moves us forward as we build a stronger, more inclusive economy."
Through partnerships with Alberta’s government, Union Training Trusts, employers, and the Indigenous community, Trade Winds to Success has helped to increase the number of Indigenous people training and working in the skilled trades, with more than 3,000 individuals supported since 2005.
This new funding will support Trade Winds to Success’s operations so they can deliver valuable programming, including their Residential Construction Program. Students in this program take foundational courses for six weeks, followed by 12 weeks of hands-on training where they learn techniques to construct eco-smart small homes for Indigenous community members. Upon completing the program, students receive 330 hours towards their first year in Alberta’s carpenter apprenticeship education program.
“The multi-year funding announcement from the Ministry of Advanced Education is the perfect demonstration of reconciliation in action. We are grateful to the Honourable Rajan Sawhney for recognizing the importance of uplifting Indigenous people pursuing careers in the trades, knowing the impact we have on the Alberta economy. Access to operational dollars not only allows us to address core needs but it also allows us to build capacity and plan for the future. Through quality pre-trades training, we can continue empowering the next generation of tradespeople while finding new ways to support their goals.”
The Residential Construction Program is expected to enrol 156 participants over three years. This investment will help address labour needs in the province, while empowering Indigenous students to find rewarding careers as they help build their communities and the economy. Alberta’s government continues to support Indigenous Peoples and all Albertans in meeting the economic needs of today and tomorrow.
Quick facts
- Trade Winds to Success is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization founded in 2005 that provides foundational learning and pre-apprenticeship training and supports to Indigenous students.
- Funding by Advanced Education will support administrative operations of the Trade Winds organization.
- Trade Winds to Success anticipates an enrolment of 156 participants in the Residential Construction Program over three years, with an 80 per cent completion rate, and an 80 per cent employment rate of those completing the program.