Alberta has high standards of living and diverse cultures and communities that are welcoming (and spectacular landscapes), and the province has created a new and attractive incentive to recruit workers to the province.
The province is popular for providing excellent opportunities in various sectors such as Healthcare, Construction, Energy, Retail and Technology. The provincial government’s Budget 2024 includes a $10 million allocation for the Alberta is Calling attraction bonus, which gives employees a $5,000 refundable tax credit.
New skilled workers help fill specific job gaps in critical industries and boost economic growth which leads to business growth and increased tax revenue and is also a competitive landscape being competitive with other provinces in providing opportunities and a good standard of living for the people who choose to make Alberta their new home. The administration expects that the new incentive will attract talented trade workers from other provinces.
The local government is committed to building a resilient labor force and the efforts are to help the local businesses and the economy thrive. Several efforts are being carried out by the provincial government to make Alberta a welcoming place to work, invest, and live and a welcoming environment to do business.
During last year’s election campaign, the United Conservative Party of Alberta promised to establish a programme and provide at least $1,200 to foreigners who relocate to the province to work in high-demand industries such as health care and trades, according to the Calgary Herald.
Another segment of the Alberta is Calling campaign will launch later this year.
The province offers a unique blend of lifestyle options and career opportunities that attract many families and individuals. A thriving economy, competitive salaries, wonderful landscapes, and affordable living are some of the USPs of moving to the province. In 2022, the $2.6 million campaign highlighted Alberta’s numerous lifestyle and career advantages, including higher earnings, shorter commutes, and job prospects.
The province has lower taxes, more affordability and higher incomes. Alberta has launched a phase of the Alberta is Calling campaign in 2023, with a focus on wooing workers from Ontario and Atlantic Canada.
Apprenticeships in Alberta
High schoolers can explore trades while finishing their diplomas and as of Feb 2024, the hourly pay for apprenticeships in the province is on average, $13.74 hourly. Alberta is also aiming to expand its workforce from within the province.
The provincial government is putting in efforts to create new apprenticeship seats across the province and also announced in Budget 2024 that it will raise financing by $102 million over three years to promote apprenticeship opportunities in the province.
The investment will allow the province to create opportunities and 3,200 apprenticeship classroom seats in high-demand locations and support curriculum revisions for the apprenticeship programme.
Experiencing the rewarding lifestyle offered by the province, Alberta will also invest $62.4 million over three years to boost physician education, especially through rural health training institutes.
The province’s population is growing at an accelerated pace in comparison to most other provinces which is also contributing to the provincial growth.
The province is growing rapidly and progressively and the budget 2024 is
to address the challenges that show up when such progressive expansion takes place and all efforts being put forward to make the province a place that future generations will cherish.
The motto of the Budget 2024 is for the investments of today to go far and beyond so that tomorrow is saved and the province becomes a strong economic engine of the nation.
Alberta enacted the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act in 2022 to modernize its skilled trades programme.