Alberta is calling skilled trades

Alberta remains a leader in Canada in investment and job creation. Alberta workers continue to have the highest weekly earnings among the provinces, per capita investments are the highest in Canada and real GDP is projected to outpace the national average at 2.9 per cent this year - all of which is helping to drive job growth. As more jobs are created, companies need even more skilled workers to keep pace.

To help fill critical job vacancies in the skilled trades, Alberta's government has launched the third phase of the successful Alberta is Calling campaign, which is now in-market in British Columbia, Québec and Ontario. This campaign is bolstered by the Alberta is Calling Moving Bonus - a one time, $5,000 refundable tax credit aimed at enticing skilled trades workers to come to Alberta to help build the housing and infrastructure needed to support a growing province.

"Alberta's continued economic growth presents a wealth of opportunities for skilled workers from across the country. The Alberta is Calling campaign and Moving Bonus reaffirm our government's commitment to attracting top talent and addressing labour force needs for sectors that are crucial to sustaining our province's prosperity. It also demonstrates we are serious about filling productive jobs with productive workers to support our expanding infrastructure needs."

Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

The province's residential and non-residential construction sectors are expected to experience sustained growth over the next decade. A recent forecast from BuildForce Canada projects total construction employment in Alberta to increase by another 14,000 workers between 2024 and 2033. With housing starts on the rise and multibillion-dollar investments being made in the province, such as the Dow Path2Zero project in Fort Saskatchewan, the need for workers in the trades has never been greater.

The campaign will highlight the many career and lifestyle advantages of living in Alberta, including a thriving job market, high wages, the lowest taxes in Canada, affordable housing and diverse communities.

"The third phase of Alberta is Calling is a compelling statement about the importance of skilled trades workers to Alberta's economy, and to our future. Simply put, we need them! The Moving Bonus complements the strong investments in trades education that we continue to make through Budget 2024. Plus, it is a tangible, helpful benefit that will encourage skilled workers to make the excellent decision to come to Alberta."

Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education

"Alberta's skilled trades offer many incredible career opportunities. Our province is about to experience a massive uptick in work through projects such as Air Products and Dow. If you are looking for a beautiful province with no shortage of work, this is a great time to come to Alberta."

Terry Parker, executive director, Building Trades of Alberta

Budget 2024 allocates $10 million to the Alberta is Calling Moving Bonus. This will support 2,000 workers in the trades to move to Alberta and discover why it is the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family. Eligibility requirements are available on the Alberta is Calling website.

Quick facts

• In August 2022, Alberta's government launched the Alberta is Calling campaign to help address labour shortages.

• Phase 1, which was deployed in August 2022, focused on attracting skilled workers in the health care, trades and technology sectors from Toronto and Vancouver.
• Phase 2, which was deployed in March 2023, targeted regions in Ontario and Atlantic Canada with the highest rates of unemployment.
• Phase 3, which will run from May 1 to July 2, 2024, is focused on skilled trades workers in British Columbia, Québec and Ontario. This phase will be much narrower in scope and used to market the Moving Bonus to skilled tradespeople.
  • Phase 3 of the campaign includes advertising on post-secondary campuses, restaurants, bars and gyms; radio, streaming and social media advertising; and an updated AlbertaisCalling.ca website.
  • Phase 3 of the campaign is expected to cost approximately $2.5 million.

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