Canada is currently grappling with a significant labor market challenge, particularly in the trades sector. A recent Statistics Canada study reveals that the national workforce is experiencing “downward pressure” due to a wave of retirements among baby boomers (those born between 1955 and 1965). This shift has driven Canada’s labor force participation rate to its lowest point in two decades, holding steady at 65% in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
To address these urgent shortages, both federal and provincial governments are actively working to attract skilled workers to critical sectors. While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is making strides to fill these gaps, Alberta is stepping up with its own set of financial incentives aimed at skilled tradespeople.
Alberta’s Incentives for Skilled Trades Immigrants
In April 2024, Alberta launched the Alberta is Calling program, offering a one-time refundable tax credit of $5,000 to up to 2,000 eligible skilled tradespeople who relocate to the province. Here’s what you need to know about the program:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Must relocate to Alberta between May 1 and December 31, 2024.
- Must be a tax resident of Alberta by December 31, 2024.
- Must have been a resident of Alberta for at least 12 consecutive months at the time of application.
For complete details on eligibility, visit the Government of Alberta’s Alberta is Calling webpage.
High-Demand Trades in Alberta
The trades sector in Alberta has long faced a significant labor shortage, making trade careers among the most sought-after occupations in the province. Currently, nine trade occupations are highlighted as in high demand:
- Construction Managers (NOC 70010)
- Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics, and Mechanical Repairers (NOC 72410)
- Plumbers (NOC 72300)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NOC 21310)
- Civil Engineers (NOC 21300)
- Engineering Managers (NOC 20010)
- Automotive and Heavy Truck and Equipment Parts Installers and Servicers (NOC 74203)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (NOC 22310)
- Electrical Mechanics (NOC 72422)
Prospective immigrants interested in the trades industry in Alberta can find valuable information on the provincial government’s trades website, which covers:
- Apprentice services in Alberta’s trades sector
- Certification processes for tradespeople
- Designated trades across the province
- Current job vacancies in Alberta
According to May 2024 data from Statistics Canada, Alberta has a substantial number of job vacancies—76,500—making it the fourth highest in Canada behind Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. This high demand for labor means newcomers, including those outside the trades sector, may find better employment opportunities in Alberta compared to other provinces.
For more details about employment opportunities and life in Alberta, visit the provincial government’s employment information page.
