Skilled Trades Careers
Your Trade. Your Impact. Your Tomorrow
Whether you’re experienced in the industry or just starting out, this is your opportunity to join a team that values your craft and invests in your future.
Why Choose a Career in Trades with Stuart Olson?
- We are building strong foundations for workforce development, retention, and advancement
- From training to mentorship, we’re committed to helping you succeed and grow in your career
- Stuart Olson is collaborating with industry leaders and stakeholders to strengthen the skilled trades sector
Pre-Trades Program
Developing Local Talent with the Pre-Trades Insulation Program
We believe in the power of local communities and the skilled trades that keep them thriving. That’s why, in collaboration with our partners, we launched a FREE Insulator Pre-Trades Program—an initiative designed to open doors for aspiring tradespeople and strengthen our industry from the ground up.
Why This Matters:
- By focusing on localization, we are creating opportunities within our communities.
- Apprentices gain practical knowledge and experience that set them up for success in the trades.
- This program fosters collaboration and builds lasting relationships across the sector.
- We are investing in people, creating pathways for advancement, and building a sustainable workforce for the future.
Celebrating Success and Community Impact:
Take a look back at last year’s Insulator Pre-Trades Program and hear directly from our graduating class. Their stories showcase the opportunities created through skilled trades.
Memberships
- Careers Next Gen Board of Directors: David Keep, Executive Vice President, Industrial Maintenance & Canem Systems
- Central Alberta Trade Strategy Board: Dean Fiveland, Craft Development Manager
Community Partners
- Careers Next Gen
- Women Building Futures
- Infinity Metis Corp.
- Tribal Chiefs
- Prospect Human Services
- Skills Canada/ Alberta
- Office to Advance Woman Apprentices Alberta
- CWB Welding Foundation
Secondary and Post Secondary Institutions
- Keyano College
- Portage College
- Red Deer Polytechnique
- Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI)
- Mamawi Atosketan
Governmental Organizations/Programs
- AIT
- Trade Pathways
- Canada Alberta Productivity Grant
Skilled Trades Careers
At Stuart Olson, we recognize the critical role that skilled trades play in building the communities and infrastructure of tomorrow. Yet, across Canada, there are simply not enough trained professionals to meet current and future demands. This shortage impacts the industry, our clients, and the next generation of projects that depend on skilled labour. That’s why we created a dedicated team focused on trades careers. Our mission is to highlight the importance of trades, address the barriers that exist, and provide clear pathways for individuals to pursue meaningful work. We know the challenges - limited education opportunities, lack of awareness about career options, and the difficulty of finding reliable employment to gain hours and experience, by tackling these issues directly, we aim to open doors for more people to discover the opportunities a trades career can provide.
Apprenticeship Resources
FAQ
There are many useful places to gather information. For example, whether you are in high school, a post-secondary student, looking for work or thinking of a career change the government of Alberta provides great information through its Alberta Learning Information site. Go to https://alis.alberta.ca/ to explore.
Many people in Canada have work permits which allow them to be gainfully employed. However, to start technical training and begin an apprenticeship you will have to be classified as a permanent resident. Some special circumstances do apply.
Skilled trades – Click here to learn more.
Typically, an employee will tell their supervisor that they are interested in becoming an apprentice. This may be agreed upon at the time of hiring. The supervisor will then have them contact AIT to start the process, and this company then becomes your sponsor. Visit TradeSecrets for more information.
The place to start is with Apprenticeship and Industry Training. This is the governing body for apprentices in the province of Alberta . You will have to set up your own trade secrets account. To get the process started visit the following. https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/MyTradesecrets/
- High demand and job security
- Strong wages and benefits
- Earn while you learn
- Career growth and flexibility
- AI proof careers
- Inclusive opportunities
You can begin your apprenticeship immediately after your registration is approved by AIT and your sponsor confirms the agreement. There’s no fixed intake period – you can start any time of year, depending on:
- When you find a sponsor or if you decide to self-sponsor
- When your application is processed/li>
- When technical training sessions are available (usually scheduled by institutions like NAIT or SAIT)
Each trade may require slightly different qualifications. View the resource below to learn what these qualifications are.
Entrance Requirement
The length of an apprenticeship may vary depending on the trade. However, typically it is 3 or 4 years.
For more information on the trade you’re interested in, please visit: Tradesecrets – Home
There are many organizations, companies and groups that can provide financial assistance; however, government programs offer the most direct route to aid. Learn more about Provincial & Federal Loans and Grants, and Trade Pathways is also a valuable resource.
There are many organizations that exist to support you along the way. Two great examples are Woman Building Futures
and Careers Next Generation.
The most common path to an apprenticeship is through the sponsorship of an employer. However, you can self-sponsor.
https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/get-started/become-an-apprentice/
- Did you know you can start your apprenticeship in High School? Careers: The Next Generation coordinates the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP.) You can get a head start on your apprenticeship. Additionally, you can earn High School credits as well as income while still in school
- Did you know there are financial support instruments to help you through your Apprenticeship?
Steps to Self-Sponsor
1
Choose your Trade. Select a designated trade in Alberta that matches your career goal.
2
Register as an apprentice. Register online through TradeSecrets. Create a verified Alberta.ca account.
3
Attend Technical Training. You can begin classroom-based apprenticeship education. Even without on-the-job training this prepares you for future work experience.
4
Obtain a sponsorship agreement later. Once you have secured employment you can enter into an Education Mentorship Agreement.
Financial Support
Trade Secrets Financial Support
- Alberta Student Aid provides loans and grants to registered apprentices attending classroom instruction.
- You can apply as a full-time or part-time student, depending on your training schedule.
- Pre-apprenticeship students may also qualify if enrolled in designated programs.
Government of Canada Apprenticeship Loan - Key Features of the Canada Apprentice Loan
- Loan Amount: Up to $4,000 per period of technical training.
- Maximum Lifetime Amount: Up to $20,000 (for five training periods).
- Interest-Free: No interest is charged while you're in training and for up to six years as long as you're a registered apprentice.
- No Payments During Training: You don’t need to make loan payments while you're still in your apprenticeship program
We Are Stuart Olson
Meet the challenge and embark on an adventure where opportunity abounds.
