Alberta enticing skilled trades with $5,000
May 1, 2024 | By HPAC Magazine
Targeting skilled trade workers in B.C., Québec and Ontario, the ‘Alberta is Calling’ campaign includes a one time $5,000 refundable tax credit for qualified trades workers who relocate.
Alberta, seeking to fill job vacancies in the skilled trades, has launched the third phase of its ‘Alberta is Calling’ campaign targeting skilled trade workers in British Columbia, Québec and Ontario.
The advertising campaign, running from May 1 to July 2, includes the ‘Alberta is Calling Moving Bonus’ – a one time, $5,000 refundable tax credit for skilled trades workers who relocate to Alberta to help build the province’s housing and infrastructure.
“The Alberta is Calling campaign and Moving Bonus reaffirm our government’s commitment to attracting top talent and addressing labour force needs for sectors that are crucial to sustaining our province’s prosperity. It also demonstrates we are serious about filling productive jobs with productive workers to support our expanding infrastructure needs,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade with the province.
A recent forecast from BuildForce Canada projects total construction employment in Alberta to increase by another 14,000 workers between 2024 and 2033. The province allocated $10 million in its 2024 budget towards the Alberta is Calling Moving Bonus. This will support 2,000 workers in the trades to move to Alberta. Trades on the eligibility list include plumbing, gas fitting, heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, and more.
“The third phase of Alberta is Calling is a compelling statement about the importance of skilled trades workers to Alberta’s economy, and to our future. The Moving Bonus complements the strong investments in trades education that we continue to make,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education.
Alberta first launched its Alberta is Calling campaign in August 2022, with phase 1 focused on attracting workers in the health care, trades and technology sectors from Toronto and Vancouver, and then phase 2 in March 2023, targeting regions in Ontario and Atlantic Canada with the highest rates of unemployment.
The new phase focuses on skilled trades workers in B.C, Québec and Ontario and includes advertising on post-secondary campuses, restaurants, bars and gyms; radio, streaming and social media. This phase of the campaign is expected to cost approximately $2.5 million.
