Skill Up Program

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

Government Of Canada Employment And Social Development Canada Logo

Find Out More

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
    This cohort is now full. No further applications accepted for this cohort.