New Mini-Documentary Series Highlights Indigenous Trades Excellence in Alberta

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A new mini-documentary series premiered in Edmonton, focusing on Indigenous tradespeople and the need for more inclusive job opportunities in Alberta's construction industry.

EDMONTON – A new mini-documentary series has recently debuted at IMAX in Edmonton, emphasizing the accomplishments of Indigenous tradespeople and advocating for increased inclusivity in job sites. This series showcases the authentic experiences of Indigenous trades workers alongside an employer partner, forming part of the See the Skill. Not Bias. initiative, a comprehensive awareness campaign initiated by Trade Winds to Success. The campaign aims to encourage employers to move beyond long-standing biases that have historically hindered skilled Indigenous tradespeople from accessing the opportunities they rightfully deserve.
Shannon McCarthy, executive director of Trade Winds to Success, expressed the urgent need for skilled workers in Alberta's trades sector, stating, "Alberta’s trades industry needs people. Those people are here — trained, certified and bringing exactly the skills the industry needs." This statement serves as a rallying cry for employers, colleagues, and industry leaders throughout the province to take action and address these pressing workforce challenges.
The construction sector in Alberta is projected to experience over 42,000 retirements within the next decade, highlighting the critical need for new talent. Currently, there are more than 6,000 Indigenous trades apprentices actively registered in Alberta’s apprenticeship system, indicating a significant pool of skilled labor that remains underutilized.
One of the featured individuals in the series, Todd Pruden, who is a carpenter and a graduate of Trade Winds to Success, shared his personal journey. "I came to Trade Winds to Success not knowing what I wanted. What I found was a trade, a career and a path I never imagined," he remarked. He also noted that this fall he will embark on a lifelong aspiration by starting the Master of Architecture program at the University of Calgary, embodying the potential that can be unlocked when individuals are given equitable opportunities.
The campaign was launched to coincide with Canada’s observance of the 30th anniversary of National Indigenous Peoples Day, marked by the premiere screening of the mini-documentary series at the TELUS World of Science Edmonton. Following the screening, a panel discussion took place, featuring Indigenous tradespeople alongside industry leaders who discussed the importance of inclusivity in the workforce.
The entire mini-documentary series will be accessible for viewing on the Trade Winds to Success YouTube channel and the campaign's website, See-the-Skill.ca, allowing a broader audience to engage with these critical narratives and insights.

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