Column: Trades, building toward the future

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Over the past few weeks, we’ve addressed the tradesperson shortage and some of the trades industry’s solutions to fixing it.

Read more: Column: Jubilee advocacy

When discussing building millions of homes, we are not just talking about lumber and blueprints. We are talking about people, and right now, there simply are not enough skilled tradespeople to do the job.

While national policies often grab headlines, the work happening in our own community offers real solutions. One example is Lakeland College.

Lakeland is not just offering trades programs; it is filling them. In speaking with individuals familiar with the college, they gave me some statistics.

With a 94.48 per cent enrolment rate in 908 funded seats for the 2024-25 year, they are well above the provincial average.

That number shows that students are interested.

The challenge is space. The school could support up to 1,500 apprentices, however, budget restraints for the Government of Alberta limit the seats to 980 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This is not just Lakeland’s problem. It is a provincial issue that needs attention.

Despite limited funding, Lakeland is doing more than its fair share.

Attending events like Skills Alberta and local try-a-trade expos, thousands of students get to explore different trades. Programs like CTS apprenticeship pathways and dual credit courses allow high school students to gain real experience and even earn apprenticeship hours before they graduate.

This shows there is at least some smart planning for the future.

Lakeland is also making strides in reaching underrepresented groups. Exposure programs for Indigenous students and an increase in women joining fields like automotive are helping change old perceptions. These students are discovering rewarding careers they may not have considered before.

But training is only one part of the equation. Industry needs to step up as well. With about 73,000 registered apprentices in Alberta as of May 1, the question is whether enough journeypersons and businesses are willing to train them. Without that commitment, progress stalls.

We need to stop thinking of trades as a backup plan. These are high-demand, high-skill jobs that deserve respect and investment.

Lakeland College is showing what is possible. Now it is time for government, industry and communities to support that effort.

There is work to do, and there are people ready to do it. We just need to give them the tools and the opportunity.

Read more: Column: How to fix the trades issue

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Dan Gray
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