Annual General Meeting 2025: key takeaways

Alberta Government – Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT):

Presented by Ken Lodwig, Program Development Specialist, Alberta Government

1. Industry Training (AIT) to build your industry apprenticeship education programs and identify industry needs. To learn more or to apply:

https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/engagement-events/my-skilled-trades-network/

2. Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act: New regulations and terminology. New terms have replaced “compulsory and optional” with “restricted activities and classes of individuals.” Additional terms, like “sponsor and mentor,” have been added and have broader meanings which include (but are not limited to) the terms “employers and journeypersons.” Additional regulations and a Board Order provide more information and can be found at:

https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/regulation-resources/policy-and-legislation/regulations/

3. Ironworker Statistics: there are currently 966 Ironworkers across the province in all branches of the trade. The Metal Building System Erectors have 62 of those apprentices with approximately 60% of the apprentices in their 1st period. This a fluid count and may change daily.

4. AIT updates: New format record book testing phase has been completed. Positive feedback from a supportive group of organizations who helped with the testing phase (thanks to Bexson Construction and Cody Bexson) for being one of those organizations. Also, the new format Curriculum guides (which replace the former course outline) for all branches of the Ironworker trade are available under their specific trade profile on the website at: https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/designated-trades-profiles/.

Additionally, exam revisions are planned in coming months and will require industry participation. Apprenticeship Delivery Services continues to go out and visit sites on a daily basis across the province to support and monitor activities performed by workers. They also share updates to our unit.