Secretary of State Zerucelli highlights funding to support Edmonton's skilled trades workforce

EDMONTON, AB, Sept. 9, 2026 /CNW/ -- As students head back to school, thousands of Canadians are also stepping into workshops, training centres and apprenticeship programs to build skills for the careers of tomorrow. From constructing homes and maintaining critical infrastructure to supporting major industrial projects, skilled trades workers are playing a vital role in building Canada's future.

That's why the Government of Canada is investing in the next generation of skilled trades workers by supporting high-quality training and providing modern, state-of-the-art training equipment and materials. Today, the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), announced nearly $1.58 million in funding to the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955 Training Trust Fund. The investment will support the purchase of a new rough terrain crane and a Liebherr telescoping mobile crane.

Delivered under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Investments in Training Equipment stream, this investment supports high-quality apprenticeship training that helps participants gain the hands-on experience and industry-recognized credentials needed for successful careers as mobile crane operators.

The Government of Canada is strengthening skilled trades training by doubling its investment in the Union Training and Innovation Program to support union-led training and by expanding flexibilities under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Investments in Training Equipment stream to make it easier and more affordable for unions and training providers to acquire the modern equipment and materials needed to train workers in the Red Seal trades.

Today's announcement supports the Government of Canada's plan to build Canada strong. Through the 2026 Spring Economic Update, the government committed $6 billion over five years to the Team Canada Strong initiative, a comprehensive strategy designed to recruit, train and hire between 80,000 and 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers by 2030–2031. This commitment has been strengthened by an additional $2 billion in new bilateral agreements with provinces and territories to increase access to pre-apprenticeship and technical training opportunities. Together, these investments will help modernize the skilled trades sector, create more opportunities for apprentices, and provide young Canadians with clear, paid pathways to rewarding careers.

Quotes

"Behind every major construction project is a skilled worker who started as an apprentice. This funding will help young tradespeople develop in-demand skills and gain the hands-on experience needed for successful, well-paying careers."
– The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour)

"The federal government's ongoing support continues to have real and meaningful impacts on the future of the skilled trades in Canada. This new equipment will expand our ability to prepare a safe, skilled union workforce to meet the growing needs of industry and allow our union to properly skill up the next generation of talented crane operators who are building Canada strong."
 – Chris Flett, IUOE 955 Business Manager and IUOE International Trustee

Quick facts

• The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 955 Training Trust Fund, together with its union partners, supports young Canadians by providing education, skills training, valuable work experience and pathways to apprenticeship certification in the Red Seal trades.
• The Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy's Investments in Training Equipment stream provides recipients with up to 50% of the cost of new, up-to-date equipment and materials, to train pre-apprentices and apprentices in the Red Seal trades. The 50% leveraging requirement reflects the benefit to the recipient of a capital purchase.
• Since 2017, the Union Training and Innovation Program has supported more than 173,000 participants.
• Building on Budget 2025's $75 million investment, the Government of Canada is investing an additional $225 million to further expand the Union Training and Innovation Program and help union-run training centres to upgrade facilities, expand capacity and invest in modern equipment.
• By 2033, Canada will need more than 1.4 million new trades workers to build homes, expand transit and develop energy infrastructure across the country.

Associated links

• About the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy
• Union Training and Innovation Program
• Backgrounder: Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy (Investments in Training Equipment)
• Secretary of State John Zerucelli highlights Spring Economic Update 2026 investments to help workers and young people gain skills, experience and support to succeed in Sarnia
• Prime Minister Carney announces Team Canada Strong – a nationwide plan to recruit up to 100,000 skilled trades workers
• Government of Canada announces new $2-billion funding for provinces and territories under Team Canada Strong
• Budget 2025
• Spring Economic Update 2026
• Canada.ca/skilled-trades

Follow us on X (Twitter)
Follow us on Facebook

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Contacts: For media enquiries, please contact: Ty Willness, Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary of State (Labour), [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]