Newcomer Centre's Skill Up Program:
- Is a foundational and technical skills employment training initiative for newcomers who want to enter the construction industry and related trades.
- Helps participants find career success in Alberta’s skilled trades and construction industries by focusing on improving job readiness skills and facilitating work placement opportunities for better job retention.
Program Objectives
- Bridge the gap for newcomers between their existing skills and education, as well as the needs and requirements of Alberta’s job market;
- Offer newcomers the opportunity to prepare for and complete the entrance exam for Alberta’s apprenticeship programs; and
- Create a pool of qualified newcomers for employers in Alberta to draw from to fill positions in construction and the trades.
Participant Benefits
Successful participants receive:
- 17-weeks of paid training:
+ 8-weeks: in-class essential skills training
+ 9-weeks: on-site training - Job placement
- Related exposure courses
- Certificate of Skill Up course completion
Eligibility Requirements
All eligible program participants must:
- Be interested in a career in the Construction/Trades sector in Alberta
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada
- Be a Permanent Resident (PR status) or Canadian citizen—that’s been in Canada less than 10 years
- Have Canadian Language Benchmark Level (CLB) 5+
NOTE: Refugees under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who have been given ‘Refugee Status’, and issued a ‘Notice of Decision’ (Decision on Refugee Protection Claim) and have a valid Canadian work permit will be eligible to participate in Skill Up program.
Training
In-person classroom training runs:
- Monday to Friday
- 9:30 am—4:30 pm
On-site training runs:
- Monday to Friday
- 8:00 am—4:30 pm
Participants will learn:
- Transferrable skills such as: communication, creativity & innovation, problem-solving, digital, collaboration, adaptability, etc.
- Foundational skills such as: numeracy, writing, reading to help prepare for the apprenticeship entrance exam for certified trades in Alberta
- Targeted technical skills used in construction sector to meet current and future requirements for skilled workforce within this industry.
Funded By
Find Out More
- Flyer
- Brochure
- Email: skillup@newcomercentre.com
- Phone: 780-424-7709 or 587-594-5927
Cohorts
- Cohort 1 – Jan. 15 – May 10, 2024 – completed
- Cohort 2 – Apr. 29 – Aug. 23, 2024
This cohort is full. No further applications accepted for this cohort. - Cohort 3 – Oct. 21, 2024 – Feb. 27, 2025
- Cohort 4 – Registration closed