Calgary Construction Association announces $100K investment in BLUprint Program

Key Takeaways:

• The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) has partnered with TELUS Spark Science Centre and the Government of Alberta, investing $100,000 in the BLUprint Program to inspire youth to pursue careers in skilled trades. This is the largest single investment made by the CCA Education Fund since 2001.
• The initiative aims to tackle the growing demand for skilled tradespeople in Alberta, driven by rapid population and economic growth.
• The BLUprint Program will feature hands-on activities and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, with exploration spaces designed to educate youth about trades-based science concepts.

The Whole Story:

The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) has announced an new partnership and historic investment with TELUS Spark Science Centre and the Government of Alberta, cumulating in the launch a pioneering program designed to inspire youth to pursue careers in the skilled trades.

The association explained that as Alberta’s population and economy continue to grow rapidly, demand for skilled tradespeople continues to increase, highlighting the need to encourage youth to consider the skilled trades as a career path. To that end, the Calgary Construction Association Education Fund is investing $100,000 towards the (BLU)print Program – the largest single investment made by the Fund since its inception in 2001.

“The Calgary Construction Association is pleased to support TELUS Spark’s skilled trades and STEAM installation,” said Bill Black, President & CEO, Calgary Construction Association. “This initiative underscores our ongoing commitment to highlighting the rewarding careers offered in construction and our efforts to cultivate a vibrant, skilled workforce that is essential for the growth, success, and sustainability of the construction industry.”

Recognizing the critical need to address the skilled labour shortage and invest in future tradespersons, the CCA is dedicated to fostering the next generation of trades professionals. The group stated that its partnership with TELUS Spark Science Centre will create a series of exploration spaces called BLUprint—standing for “Building, Learning, and You.” These spaces are designed to educate youth about trades-based science concepts in a fun and engaging way. Featuring hands-on activities related to carpentry, plumbing, and electrical trades, BLUprint integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education.

Phased Approach

• Phase 1: Soft-launched on July 11, 2024, and now open to the public, inviting Albertans of all ages to explore the outdoor space and participate in activities related to skilled trades exploration.
• Phase 2: Launching in December 2024, includes indoor exhibits that will delve into the trades using a blend of virtual reality job simulators and hands-on activities to meet the interests of kids of all ages.

“Investing in the next generation of skilled tradespeople is crucial for Alberta’s future,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. “By partnering with TELUS Spark Science Centre, we are creating engaging and educational experiences that inspire young people to explore rewarding careers in the trades. This initiative not only addresses the growing demand for skilled workers but also highlights the importance of STEAM education in building a competitive and innovative workforce.”

In the next decade, 700,000 of the four million Canadians who work in the trades are expected to retire. According to data analyzed by Alberta Jobs, Economy and Trade, there were 7,560 construction trades and management job vacancies in the Calgary economic region in Q3 2023, representing a staggering one-quarter of all job vacancies (30,500) in the city.