BREAKING BARRIERS

Career Pathways empowers the next generation of construction and skilled trades

By Kalina Broda

Brick by brick, Career Pathways is working to remove the stigma associated with construction-related careers and opening more doors than ever to the next generation of employees.

This year, youth across the Edmonton region are being offered new and expanded opportunities to get an inside look at the diverse career paths the industry has to offer, thanks to significantly increased funding for the Edmonton Construction Association’s (ECA) Career Pathways program and its dedicated member volunteers.

Beyond expanding the alreadysuccessful Tools for Schools initiative, Junior Achievement and Skills Canada Alberta sponsorships have also been added to the Career Pathways’ roster of youth engagement opportunities in 2023.

Changing Perceptions

Three years ago, the ECA Career Pathways committee came together to address labour shortages in Alberta’s construction industry in a meaningful way. They identified that long-standing misconceptions about careers in construction and skilled trades hinder youth from entering the labour force— and set out on a mission to change it.

“This is a group of industry leaders tackling labour shortages head-on,” says Brittaney Down, ECA’s education and corporate services coordinator. “They’re getting face-to-face with today’s youth to show them jobs in construction aren’t just a ‘fall-back’ option. They can be a promising career.”

Brad Mielke, a Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) instructor and Career Pathways committee member, shares his own experience