The strength of growth and profitability in residential construction in Alberta is the individual business owner
and workers who keep updated and/or who develop into supervisors, managers and executive employees. A key component of the SLD Plan is to increase the professionalism of our industry through continuous owner, management and worker training and development.


Many workers currently in the industry lack up-to-date industry knowledge and technical skills. Rapidly changing technology, new business and project management skills, and increased regulatory demands, all point to the importance of addressing continuing education. There are employers who recognize the career development of their staff as an investment in the company and the industry, not a cost, and who therefore support skills upgrading for their workers. However, it is more difficult for CHBA – Alberta members to have an influence in this area with the changing structure of the industry that has an increasing reliance on trades contractors who are beyond the control of the builder/developer. There needs to be strategic supports to attract this part of the industry into Local HBAs and as participants in initiatives to develop a skilled workforce, and then ensure that appropriate post-trades training opportunities are accessible, flexible and affordable.

OVOI commitment has provided important leverage of funding and seconded resources for training development initiatives through partnerships with pan-provincial government and educational bodies such as the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC), Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA), and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) organizations.





The new trades specialization approach being developed by CHBA – Alberta will provide an opportunity for the many residential trades workers with years of relevant experience to have their skills assessed, recognized and credentialed, with little or no additional training.

Trades PLAR will offer workers opportunities for career mobility and advancement. Providing ways for employees to upgrade their skills, keep skills current, and develop their careers, is a proven incentive to have to have them remain with the company. It also allows the company to expand business opportunities and take advantages of new technologies.



A key benefit of belonging to a professional association is accessible and up-to-date continuing education and professional development. Individual builders, renovators
and trades contractors have little time in their busy schedules, yet they must maintain their technical and professional competence to keep up with new technologies and materials, environmental issues, Alberta Building Code requirements and business practices. This includes developing proficiency in specialized areas of the business such as financial management, marketing, people management, project planning, product knowledge, and so on.

Many relevant courses are currently provided through the Professional Home Builders’ Institute of Alberta (PHBIA) for The Alberta New Home Warranty program members. These will be promoted to all members and other courses will be delivered by CHBA – Alberta and the Local HBAs. CHBA’s national designation’ initiative offers an additional opportunity to acknowledge and certify this expertise, and will be promoted among CHBA – Alberta members in 2008.

CHBA - ALBERTA - SLD:
www.chbaalberta.ca

Professional Home Builders' Institute of Alberta:
www.phbia.com

Alberta New Home Warrenty Program:
www.anhwp.com

Built Green™:
www.builtgreencanada.ca

COR/SECOR safety training
www.chbaalberta.ca/cor

Local HBA Breakfast Sessions
Contact your local HBA

Alberta Building Code Training
www.chbaalberta.ca