The Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website is designed as a portal into career planning, education and training programs, post-secondary institutions, job searches, career and labour market information and much more. 

Service Canada's training and careers web site can be found here.  

Labour Market Information Centres are located throughout Alberta and offer access to career and education planning, life skills training, labour market information, job search techniques, etc. Staff can provide information, assistance, counselling and referrals to various government services and programs. Locations of service centres in central Alberta can be found here.

The Career Information Hotline offers career consulting and referral services to Albertans via telephone, TDD, fax, e-mail or web. Consultants can help with work search skills, career planning, educational funding, information about occupations and educational options.
Toll Free: 1-800-661-3753
TDD: 1-800-232-7215 

General Training

Licensed training institutions operating in central Alberta include Red Deer College, Olds College, Canadian University College, Maskwachees Cultural College, Prairie Bible College, and the Norquest College campus in Wetaskiwin.

For training programs and services targeted at employers, please see Support for Training Workers on this web site.

Training  for Unemployed Individuals

In Alberta, the provincial government administers training for individuals who are unemployed. Such training through Alberta Employment, Immigration & Industry includes Work Foundations (for example basic literacy and numeracy, English as a Second Language, and academic upgrading) and Training for Work (including classroom and/or workplace training of one year or less).

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Training for Youth

Training programs for youth often take the form of on-the-job-training like work experience or internships. Some of these programs also offer wage subsidies to employers.

Skills Link - This program helps youth and others facing barriers to employment develop skills and work experience in order to enter the job market. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada sponsor a variety of programs and services.

Career Focus  Employers hire recent post-secondary graduates for 6-12 months. Wage subsidies are available. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada in co-operation with Federal departments and industry organizations offer the program through the Youth Employment Strategy (YES). Additional initiatives, a list of the participating federal departments and industry organizations, and more details are listed on the Career Focus website.

Youth Connections - is an employment program for youth. In central Alberta, it is offered by the Rocky Mountain House Youth Development Society, the Centre for Employment in Olds, the Youth Employment Development Centre in Red Deer, and the Learning Centre in Hanna. Alberta Employment, Immigration & Industry funds the program.

Summer Temporary Employment Programs - High school and post-secondary youth aged 16 and up can be subsidized for new, full-time positions lasting from 6 weeks to 4 months. Employers must pay a wage appropriate to the position (at least minimum wage) and receive a subsidy of $6.05/hour. Alberta Employment, Immigration & Industry funds this program.

Summer Work Experience and Summer Career Placements - This program offers career related summer employment to high school and post-secondary youth aged 15-30. Wage subsidies are available to private and public sector employers. Jobs must offer 30-40 hours/week employment for 6-16 weeks. This is part of the Summer Work Experience Initiative of Service Canada.

The Public Service Commission offers a number of programs to recruit employees for work in the public sector. These internships are generally geared at post-secondary students or graduates and can be accessed through the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program (PSR).

Federal Work Experience Program (FSWEP) - This program provides full-time secondary school, college, technical institute or university students with experience working for the federal government. Applications are taken at any time. Applicants must be full time students returning to school after completing the program.

Accelerated Economist Training Program (AETP) - This program offers Master's degree candidates in Economics, Public Administration, or a related discipline the opportunity to work on a number of social, economic and international policy agendas. This two-year program provides a diverse work experience in a number of departments.

Federal Public Sector Youth Internship Program (FPSYIP) - Nine month long internships are offered to unemployed or underemployed youth aged 15-30, to acquire employment skills and work experience. This program is part of the Youth Employment Strategy and is sponsored by the Treasury Board Secretariat and the YMCA.

Financial Officer/Internal Auditor Recruitment & Development Program (FORD/IARD) - Recent university graduates with degrees in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, or Management Information systems can receive 12 months training and experience in finance and internal auditing in the Federal Public Service. The Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada administers this program.

Computers for Schools (TWEP) - This Technical Work Experience Program provides youth 15-30 with 13-26 weeks experience at a Computer for Schools repair centre. Industry Canada offers this program.

Environmental Youth Corp offered by the Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environmental Industry. Internships are available within Canada and overseas.

Science Horizons Program - offered by Environment Canada

Science and Technology Internship Program offered by Natural Resources Canada 
The Youth Employment Strategy (YES) offered by National Research Council

Young Canada Works - Summer jobs and internships with Parks Canada and Heritage Canada.

Youth International - The Canadian Department of Foreign affairs offers a number of youth internship programs including overseas exchange, internships, and co-op education programs.

Building Careers in Heritage - Canadian Heritage internship program

Useful Websites for Youth

The Federal Youth Employment Strategy The Federal Youth Employment Strategy

Workopolis Workopolis

www.mazemaster.on.ca - a career and job exploration site geared to youth aged 14-29

www.labourmarketinformation.ca - the federal governmenets labour maket information including which jobs are in demand

Red Deer Youth Employment Development Centre - a project of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce.

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Training for Aboriginal Workers

Additional applicable programs are listed above

Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS) - Aboriginal organizations design and deliver employment programs and services within their own communities. They offer support in finding jobs and upgrading skills. There are specific programs geared to youth and the disabled. The AHRDS offices work in conjunction with Service Canada regional offices.

Aboriginal Student Employment Program - Qualified aboriginal students are employed in scientific, technical or other forestry related fields by the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada. Candidates must be registered, full-time students. 

First Nations Training to Employment - This program involves the development of partnerships between First Nations people, Alberta Employment, Immigration & Industry, and private sector employers. The goal is to provide program participants with various employment skills, work experience or on-the-job training, job placement, follow-up and employment support. Projects run from 6 up to 52 weeks. The employer receives support to cover training and project management costs.

Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations and Inuit Youth (HIIFNIY) - This program is targeted at youth age 15-30 who are currently unemployed. Eligible sponsors receive wage support to provide work experience and on-the-job training related to the housing industry for a minimum of 3 months. Projects must be located on a reserve or in an Inuit community. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offers the program in conjunction with the Youth Employment Strategy of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

SkillsLink - This program helps aboriginal youth and others facing barriers to employment develop skills and work experience in order to enter the job market. A variety of programs and services are sponsored by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. 

First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy - Four programs are offered to First Nations and Inuit youth living on reserves or in recognized communities. These programs, administered by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada under the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, are:

First Nations and Inuit Youth Work Experience Program - This program offers mentored work experience to unemployed or under-employed youth aged 15-30. Projects must be completed within 11 months. Private sector employers receive a subsidy of 50% of the applicable minimum wage, while non-profit sector employers receive 100% plus some employment related costs.

First Nations and Inuit Youth Science and Technology Program - Youth are exposed to science and technology skills and career choices. First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations may submit proposals.

First Nations and Inuit Student Summer Employment Opportunities Program - This programs is targeted at secondary and post-secondary students to gain short-term work experience and to earn wages for post-secondary studies. Full time students aged 15-30 who are returning to school on a full time basis are eligible. First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations may submit proposals offering a minimum of 80 hours of work at minimum wage or better. Private sector employers receive 50% wage support while non-profit sector employers receive 100%.


First Nations and Inuit Career Promotion and Awareness Program - This program is designed to aid youth in career planning, the development of life and employment skills and to provide mentored school-based work and study projects. First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations, and schools operating on reserves may submit proposals.

Inuit and Inuit Health Careers Program is administered by the National Aboriginal Achievment Foundation to encourage aboriginal employment in health.

Government of Canada www.jobs.gc.ca

Canadian Forces Aboriginal Entry Program encourages aboriginal employment in the Canadian Forces.

Aboriginal Cadet Development Program - RCMP is administered by the RCMP.

The Land Management Training Program helps train aboriginal workers to manage reserve lands.

Useful Websites for Aboriginals

First Nations Employment and Training Centre

Aboriginal Job Centre

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Training for Persons with Disabilities

Additional applicable programs are listed under General and Pre-employment Training

Ability Edge offers 6, 9 and 12 month paid internships to graduates with disabilities to work for Canadian employers. The program is offered by Career Edge, a private sector, not-for-profit organization that provides work experience opportunities to new graduates in partnership with Human Resources Development Canada.

Disability Related Employment Supports (DRES) - This program provides disabled Albertans with assistance in overcoming barriers to employment. Four types of support are available:

• Workplace Supports - Support may include a job coach, job mediator, mentor and/or workplace modifications to help clients find or maintain employment.
• Job Search Supports - Disability related goods and services required to implement a job search would be funded.
• Educational Supports - This would include sign language interpreters, tutors etc. required to enable a client to access further training and education.
• Assistive Technology - Funding is available to acquire technology that would alleviate, reduce or remove a barrier to education, training or employment.
• These programs are funded under the Skills Investment Program (Training for Work) of Alberta Employment, Immigration & Industry (AHRE). 
  

Disability Vocational Rehabilitation Program - This program is designed to help people who currently receive Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability benefits return to the workforce. Participants can access career counselling, needs and skills assessments, and vocational rehabilitation specialists. The costs of upgrading skills or education may be covered by the CPP. Human Resources Skills Development Canada offers the program.

Opportunities Fund - This program is designed to help persons with disabilities develop skills or obtain employment. Employers trying to integrate disabled employees into their business may receive funding to cover wages or employment related costs. Programs run for up to 52 weeks (occasionally 72 weeks). Human Resources and Skills Development Canada sponsors the opportunity fund.


The Partners for Workplace Inclusion Program (PWIP) provides disabled clients with assistance in preparing for a career and in finding employment. Support includes the development of vocational plans, pre-employment skills development, providing tuition and educating employers about inclusive workplaces. The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation on Work sponsors the program.

SkillsLink - This program helps disabled youth and others facing barriers to employment develop skills and work experience in order to enter the job market. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada sponsor a variety of programs and services.

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Training for Foreign Workers
SkillsLink - This program helps immigrant youth and others facing barriers to employment develop skills and work experience in order to enter the job market. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada sponsor a variety of programs and services.

Basic Skills/Academic Upgrading - Alberta Human Resources and Emplyment's Work Foundations program offers basic skills training to low income Albertans, enabling them to access further education or training, or to improve their employment situation. Academic Upgrading (grades 4-12), English as a Second Language (ESL) and general employability skills training are available.

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