Alberta developing industry-led Trades Discovery Centre

Key Takeaways:

• The provincial government is providing $6 million to launch the Alberta Trades Discovery Centre in Calgary by fall 2026.
• This industry-led facility will allow junior high and high school students to explore construction careers through hands-on experiences led by experienced professionals.
• The initiative aims to address a projected labor shortage of 59,000 workers over the next decade by helping students make informed choices about post-secondary pathways.

The Whole Story:

Alberta’s government is launching the Alberta Trades Discovery Centre, an industry-led initiative that will give junior high and high school students hands-on exposure to skilled trades careers before they graduate. The centre is expected to open in Calgary in fall 2026, with plans to expand to other areas of the province as demand grows.

The centre will provide a dedicated, professional space where students can explore construction trades, learn directly from experienced tradespeople and discover what they’re good at and what they enjoy, helping them make informed choices about high school courses, post-secondary pathways and future careers.

Alberta’s government is investing $6 million over three years towards the initial implementation and operation of the centre. The Alberta Trades Discovery Centre will be governed by a board with representatives from Alberta’s construction sector, including the Alberta Construction Association, Building Trades of Alberta, Construction Labour Relations Alberta, and OpenCircle.

“Alberta’s prosperity depends on a strong, skilled workforce. The Alberta Trades Discovery Centre will help students see the real opportunities available in the trades, while complementing the world-class training offered by our post-secondary institutions,” Myles McDougall, Minister of Advanced Education, said in a news release.

Students will gain hands-on exposure to skilled trades at “try-a-trade” bays in an authentic work-like setting. The centre focuses on career exploration, not apprenticeship training.

“This is a professional environment where experiences are developed and facilitated directly by seasoned trades professionals. By proving this concept in Calgary, we are building a sustainable model that honors the dignity of the trades and empowers young Albertans to build both our province and their own successful futures,” Warren Singh, board chair and executive director of the Alberta Construction Association, said in the release.

Alberta’s industrial, commercial and institutional construction sector employs more than 250,000 Albertans and will require over 59,000 additional workers in the next decade, the government said.