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Identify Potential Candidates
Consider clients who are interested in building a long-term career in construction and could benefit from additional support to successfully enter and remain in the industry.
Connect Your Clients to Construction Careers
By connecting your clients with Trade Pathways, you strengthen their access to job opportunities and post-employment support and set them up for long-term success in construction.
Your Role as a Referral Partner
Referral partners bring valuable knowledge of their clients’ goals, strengths and readiness, helping Trade Pathways reach the people who can benefit most from the program.
Discuss the Opportunity
Help potential candidates understand how Trade Pathways can build on the support they already receive and provide additional support as they move into construction employment.
Refer Interested Clients
Refer interested clients to Trade Pathways. Our team takes it from there—confirming eligibility, supporting the employment process, and coordinating available supports.
Who can be referred?
Trade Pathways is for eligible Albertan job seekers who are unemployed or working less than 30 hrs/week, interested in building a career in construction, and belong to at least one of the eligible groups below.
- Youth (30 and under)
- Indigenous people of Canada
- Newcomers to Canada
- People with a disability
- Women
What happens after a referral?
From here, each candidate follows the pathway that reflects where they are in their employment journey—whether they already have an accepted job offer or are still looking for the right opportunity.
1
Application & Eligibility
Trade Pathways processes the candidate’s application and confirms that program eligibility requirements are met.
2
Employment Connection
Candidates can proceed if referred with an existing eligible job offer. Others join a regional candidate pool to connect with participating employers.
3
Enrolment & Assessment
Once employment is confirmed, the candidate is enrolled and completes a needs assessment to identify individualized supports that can help them succeed.
4
Support Begins
Participants access approved employment and apprenticeship supports based on their individual needs.
Available Support
Tools, PPE & Workwear
Eligible tools, protective equipment and workwear to help participants get started and work safely.
Transportation Assistance
Support to help participants overcome transportation barriers and get to and from work reliably.
Training & Certifications
Eligible skills training, assessments and certifications to help participants succeed and progress in employment.
Apprenticeship Support
Support for participants progressing into apprenticeship, including eligible first-year apprenticeship training costs.
Become a Referral Partner
Referral Partner FAQ
Who can be referred?
Referral partners should consider clients who meet the program’s basic eligibility requirements and are interested in pursuing construction employment.
What happens after a referral?
Trade Pathways processes the candidate’s application, confirms eligibility and supports the next steps toward employment and enrolment.
Does a referral mean the job seeker is enrolled?
No. Trade Pathways completes the final eligibility review. Approved referrals are added to the candidate pool, and enrolment occurs when an approved candidate secures employment with a participating employer.
Can our organization become a referral partner?
Contact Trade Pathways to discuss whether a referral partnership is a fit.
Can job seekers apply to Trade Pathways directly?
No. Trade Pathways uses a referral-based access model.
Does a candidate need a job offer before being referred?
No. Some candidates may already have an eligible job offer and move directly into enrolment, while others may join a regional candidate pool that participating employers access when hiring.
Do referral partners have to verify every eligibility requirement?
No. Referral partners discuss basic eligibility and program fit; Trade Pathways confirms final eligibility.