Features
Indigenous
Careers
Just the Good News
Training & Education
Federal and provincial funding boosts Trade Winds’ Indigenous apprenticeship program
February 5, 2025 | By Anthony Capkun
February 5, 2025 – Trade Winds to Success is receiving federal funding of nearly $5 million to train over 290 Indigenous apprentices in support of Canada’s Housing Plan.
“Communities across Canada need housing quickly. Investments like this one in the Towards Net Zero Residential Construction project is growing and training our workforce to build the homes we need while lifting barriers to labour participation and creating good-paying jobs along the way,” said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour Steven MacKinnon.
Funded under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, the “Towards Net Zero Residential Construction” project will help these apprentices develop Red Seal trade skills related to homebuilding.
Trade Winds to Success will help them complete their training, address barriers to entering the trades, and help them find and keep jobs in the skilled trades. Participants will also improve the essential skills needed to successfully pass the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training entrance exam.
“Tradespeople are critical to our country’s future, and the graduates from Trade Winds to Success Training Society are building up the homes, infrastructure, and communities that we need here in Alberta,” said Randy Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Centre.
The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy is investing up to $48.8 million (2024/2025) in projects that support trades related to homebuilding.
“This vital funding will empower us to train over 290 Indigenous individuals for rewarding careers in Red Seal trades, while also building 13 high-efficiency homes for First Nations and Métis settlements across Alberta,” said Trade Winds executive director Shannon McCarthy.
In December 2024, the Government of Alberta announced $1,507,263 over three years (beginning 2024/2025) to help Indigenous students meet Alberta’s residential construction demand.
The Trade Winds’ Residential Construction Program is expected to enrol 156 participants over three years.
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. Upon completing the program, students receive 330 hours toward their first year in Alberta’s carpenter apprenticeship education program.
“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,” said Alberta Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney.
Print this page