Starting over in Canada as a newcomer has many challenges—finding a new place to live, adapting to the language and culture, and of course, finding employment.
To help newcomers learn a variety of skills, and prepare for different careers, the Employment Team offers Workforce Participation Programs (WPPs). During the last week of April, the Employment Team debuted its WPP for Ironwork, in collaboration with A&H Steel.
Ironwork is one of Alberta’s Red Seal Trades—a physically demanding and technically challenging process of building structures using rebar (iron rods) to support construction. As a core construction trade, Alberta desperately needs Ironworkers to build homes, businesses, and industrial facilities. For the last several years, fewer people have registered to become Ironwork Apprentices, leading to a shortage of workers.
This is where AHC and A&H worked together: connecting newcomers looking for a career, and an industry seeking out new approaches to finding workers. For five days, the Ironwork WPP students participated in a mix of classroom training, simulation exercises with rebar and tools, interviews, and a field trip to an A&H job site to watch real Ironworkers in action. At the end of this process, some of the WPP students were selected for a paid, two-week job opportunity, with an aim to full-time apprenticeship and work in the field.
“It’s an honour to be there,” said one of the students who was selected for the job opportunity. “I’m looking forward to working in this field.”
