If you work in a skilled trade in your country, it is very important to bring records of employment as proof of the number of hours you have worked in your field. Once in Alberta, you can begin the process of getting your experience and training recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.

As a newcomer, you should know that the Conference Board of Canada anticipates that the country will need 1 million trade workers by 2020.

Regarding training and certification, each province and company has its own program and regulations. In some trades, you must be certified or registered as an apprentice with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. If you are interested in working in trades, here is how it generally works in Alberta:

Trades combine paid training in the workplace and technical training in an educational institution. Apprentices spend 40 to 44 weeks per year at work and 6 to 8 weeks in a classroom. An apprenticeship program usually takes 2 to 5 years. Candidates must find an employer willing to offer them a position as an apprentice. They receive a salary from their first day of work. Apprentices ultimately receive certification in a designated trade.

For more details about trades and the list of occupations requiring a license, visit the following sites:

Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Trade Secrets

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Trades and Apprenticeship

Souhern Alberta Institute of Technology
Apprenticeships and Trades

Construction Sector Council
Careers in Construction