Summary#
This bill changes how Alberta regulates skilled trades. It creates a new class called “fully‑regulated trades,” where only certified workers or registered apprentices can do the work. It also brings trade unions into training and adds a worker–employer advisory committee.
Key changes:
- Creates “fully‑regulated trades” and lists 18 trades (like electrician, plumber, welder, hairstylist, and others), with the option to add more later.
- Says only certified journeypersons or registered apprentices may do tasks in these fully‑regulated trades.
- Requires the government to define, within one year, the specific tasks covered in each fully‑regulated trade.
- Lets the Minister engage trade unions, along with colleges, to provide training.
- Sets up a committee with equal employer and worker voices (including a certified tradesperson and a final‑year apprentice) to advise before major decisions.
- Updates enforcement and title‑use rules to cover all “regulated trades.”
What it means for you#
- Workers in listed trades
- If you hold a trade certificate or are a registered apprentice, you can keep doing the work.
- If you are experienced but not certified or apprenticed, you will need to register as an apprentice or get certified to keep doing those tasks once rules take effect.
- The bill does not include automatic “grandfathering.” Details on transitions will depend on upcoming regulations that define each trade’s tasks.
- Employers and contractors
- You will need to make sure employees doing these trades’ tasks are certified or registered apprentices.
- Plan to sponsor apprentices and adjust staffing, scheduling, and supervision.
- Check marketing and job titles. Misusing “certified,” “journeyperson,” or similar terms tied to a regulated trade remains prohibited.
- Expect possible inspections at workplaces where regulated trade work is performed.
- Small businesses and rural firms
- You may face short‑term staffing pressure if you rely on experienced but uncertified workers. Budget time to certify or apprentice them.
- Verify that subcontractors meet the new requirements.
- Unions and training providers
- Trade unions can be engaged by the government to deliver training, alongside post‑secondary schools.
- A new advisory committee—split evenly between employers and workers—must be consulted before key changes on standards and restricted work.
- Homeowners and consumers
- You may see stronger assurance that complex or risky work (like electrical or gasfitting) is done by trained people.
- During the transition, there could be wait times or higher prices if labour is tight.
- Timeline and what’s still to come
- The government must, within one year of the law taking effect, define the tasks that belong to each fully‑regulated trade. Those definitions will trigger enforcement.
- The list of fully‑regulated trades can grow by regulation.
Expenses#
No publicly available information.
Proponents' View#
- Improves public safety and quality by ensuring only trained, certified people do complex trade work.
- Gives tradespeople clearer recognition and protects the value of certification.
- Creates clearer career paths for apprentices and encourages more training seats.
- Brings both employers and workers (including an active apprentice) into formal advice before big decisions.
- Uses union training centers, along with colleges, to expand hands‑on training capacity.
- Aligns Alberta with other places that already require certification for key trades.
Opponents' View#
- May shrink the available workforce at first, raising costs or delays, especially for small or rural businesses.
- Could sideline experienced workers who lack formal papers if there is no easy transition or grandfathering.
- Leaves uncertainty until the government defines the exact tasks for each trade.
- Adds red tape and compliance costs for employers and sole proprietors.
- Critics worry giving unions a larger training role could disadvantage non‑union shops if not managed fairly.