Are you a newcomer to Canada? Do you want to work in the trades and improve your English? Take the Pathways to the Trades program.

This customized trades program for newcomers focuses on building specific skills needed to succeed in the southern Alberta labour market. You will prepare to pass the Alberta Apprenticeship entry exam for a recognized trade. You will also improve your opportunities for unskilled or semi-skilled employment in the trades and manufacturing sectors. You will have opportunities to:

  • develop job search strategies
  • understand Canadian workplace culture
  • gain labour market knowledge
  • build professional networks

Who is eligible?

  • Individuals aged 18 or older
  • Newcomers (immigrants born outside of Canada who are destined for or living in Alberta, either temporarily or permanently) who have permanent status in Canada: Permanent Residence status or Canadian citizenship
  • Government-assisted refugees
  • English proficiency at or equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels 6-8

Class schedule and delivery methods

You will take four courses over 15 weeks through a mix of on campus and online learning. You will also have time for hands-on learning in labs for the trades and you will be able to visit local work sites. The four courses are:

  • Specialized English (terminology and language leading to employment)
  • Employment Skills
  • Employment Readiness
  • Introduction to the Trades (hands-on experience of up to 12 different trades)

You can choose one of these two time periods to take your courses:

  • Feb. 26 – June 7, 2024
  • July 8 – Oct. 25, 2024

Register now

About the program

The Opening New Employment Pathways to the Trades and Associated Professions in Alberta is a collaborative program between the Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences, which includes the English Language Centre, and the Centre for Trades. The program is supported by a Settlement, Integration and Language Projects (SILP) grant from Alberta’s Ministry of Trade, Immigration and Multiculturalism.