March 18, 2015 – A two-year pilot program has been launched in Alberta to help more than 600 Aboriginal people train for careers in the construction industry.

Bow Valley College in Calgary and NorQuest College in Edmonton will each host an Alberta Aboriginal Construction Career Centre that will deliver employment training, job coaching and counselling to more than 300 Aboriginal Albertans at each institution, with a focus on construction trades.

As many construction-related projects require electrical trades, the services provided by the Centres will also direct clients to the electrical industry, added the Alberta government.

“Furthermore, due to the AACCC’s network of industry and business partners we will be able to refer those individuals that desire a more specialized trade in electrical to those that can provide this training. Partnerships with the electrical sector would allow the Centres to refer clients to them for employment and/or training as required,” it said.

“The Alberta Aboriginal Construction Career Centre will fill a gap in connecting Aboriginal job seekers directly with the construction industry,” said Sharon Carry, Bow Valley College president. “Through fast, focused interventions, such as job preparation and skills training, these centres will play an important role in helping to address projected skilled labour shortages in the construction industry and connect Aboriginal peoples to well-paying jobs,”

The Alberta government said it is contributing $1 million to the project, with an additional $525,000 from the two colleges and $750,000 from industry and Aboriginal stakeholders.

Photo: Government of Alberta.