Alberta Collaborates to Break Down Barriers for Dual Ticketing in Construction

📅 3 days ago

Alberta's collaborative efforts involving CLAC, employers, and government aim to facilitate dual ticketing for journeypersons, addressing the skilled labor shortage amid a construction boom.

In Alberta, significant strides are being made to eliminate obstacles to dual ticketing in the construction sector, as various stakeholders, including the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC), employers, and government entities, unite to enhance workforce skills through several initiatives. These developments include adaptive learning approaches, premium wage rates for dual ticket holders outlined in collective agreements, and employers committing to pay journeyperson rates as workers transition to obtaining a second ticket. Wayne Prins, the executive director of CLAC, emphasized the urgency of these initiatives, stating, "The main driver is the massive wave of construction happening. We are in the early levels of actively major projects, nation-building projects, and many of these significant undertakings are just beginning to roll out. The sheer volume of work is staggering."
Prins further articulated that the increasing demand for skilled labor necessitates innovative solutions like dual ticketing, which serves to broaden the skilled workforce as Canada seeks to attract more young individuals, new Canadians, women, Indigenous people, and those displaced from other sectors. He noted, "Until then, we have to optimize the current workforce, and dual ticketing is a way to achieve that."
Currently, Alberta boasts 45,000 apprentices and 60,000 journeypersons who stand to gain from these dual ticketing initiatives. CLAC’s dual ticketing program is particularly beneficial for companies and journeypersons alike, as it expands the range of available job opportunities for skilled workers. One of the latest ventures in this regard is the Built to Learn initiative, which aims to equip apprentices and journeymen to successfully tackle provincial and Red Seal examinations. Notably, the dual ticketing learning process diverges from traditional linear models, opting instead for an adaptive learning framework that evaluates individual knowledge and identifies specific areas needing enhancement for journeymen to earn a second ticket. If candidates possess the required work hours, they can challenge the examination directly.
The Built to Learn Dual Ticketing and Upskilling Pilot Program has received $4 million in funding from the Government of Alberta in collaboration with CLAC. This program, designed to promote upskilling towards second or even third tickets, has already shown positive trends, as Curtis Haugan, CLAC's provincial lead, noted that apprentices who previously stalled in their training have returned to the apprenticeship system. He reported, "We are seeing second- and third-year apprentices sign up as they had previously given up on their apprenticeship," highlighting the program's flexibility, which allows participation without the need to travel to larger urban centers for classes.
The pilot program is initially focusing on four trades, with the welders’ 60-hour module expected to launch in the last week of August. Other trades in development include ironworking, pipefitting, and instrumentation. The two-year rollout will see the Alberta government subsidizing $1,500 for the first 200 participants, with individuals or their supporting unions covering the remaining $500. Additionally, those who successfully achieve their Red Seal certification can qualify for a $5,000 federal grant. Currently, there is a waitlist of 150 for this pilot program.
This initiative aligns with other CLAC efforts to facilitate dual ticketing, as Prins highlighted that employers like DOW Inc. recognize the importance of having dual ticket holders on their job sites. DOW recently launched its $10 billion, net-zero Fort Saskatchewan petrochemical project in Alberta’s Heartland after a two-year delay, now aiming for plant operations to commence by 2029. DOW has committed to maintaining the journeyperson rate for those pursuing a second ticket, showcasing a long-term investment perspective. According to Prins, the ability for a journeyperson to earn at the higher rate while pursuing an apprenticeship represents a significant barrier that needs addressing, although a vetting process remains to ensure the required skills are present on-site.
Prins described the collaboration among DOW, CLAC, and government as a sign of remarkable cooperation in filling the skills gap. Furthermore, CLAC has successfully negotiated a modest hourly premium in collective agreements with various construction firms for individuals holding multiple tickets. Recently, this dual ticketing initiative was integrated into the collective bargaining agreement of Kiewit Energy Construction Co. ULC, with over 10% of pipefitters working toward a Red Seal welding certificate due to jobsite needs.
The dual ticketing pilot has garnered support from the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA). PCA president and CEO Paul de Jong noted the evolving career paths in the industry, stating, "The mindset for many years has been one trade and one career." Surveys from job sites indicate that 40 to 50 percent of tradespeople now recognize the benefits of upskilling for additional tickets, particularly evident on large projects requiring 4,000 to 5,000 workers. This trend towards hiring dual-skilled tradespersons not only reduces personnel management challenges but also cuts down on housing and maintenance costs. De Jong commended the government for its backing of this pilot program, which aims to reshape the landscape of skilled trades in Alberta.

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