The Government of Alberta announced Tuesday it means to “transform” employment services in the province through a $185 million investment.
WorkFirst Alberta will help job seekers find meaningful work and support employers to build a skilled workforce, said Jason Nixon, minister of assisted living and social services, at the WorkFirst Alberta Summit in Red Deer.
“WorkFirst is about transforming lives. It will help job seekers become employees, support employers in finding the right talent and empower the dedicated service providers who make these connections possible,” Nixon stated.
The government says WorkFirst will expand supports for persons with disabilities, women, youth and other Albertans facing barriers through flexible, person-centred services focused on long-term success.
Services will include career planning, assistive technology and supported job placements, plus improved access to wraparound supports including childcare, transportation and mental health supports.
“Prospect welcomes the province’s launch of WorkFirst Alberta. This new model will create innovative pathways for Albertans facing barriers and unlock critical labour pools to meet employer need,” Kevin McNichol, CEO, Calgary-based Prospect Human Services, remarked.
“WorkFirst ensures that all Albertans – regardless of background or circumstance – have the support they need to build brighter futures and strengthen Alberta’s workforce and economy.”
John Corie, managing partner with Edmonton-based Ballad Group, believes the program will deliver results that matter.
“We’ve seen participants gain confidence, overcome significant challenges and find long-term employment,” Corie noted. “The government’s investment enables partners like Ballad to provide effective, targeted services that support Alberta’s economy and offer real value to the communities we serve.”
The WorkFirst Alberta Summit is taking place in Red Deer Sept. 16 and 17. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)
To start 2025, Red Deer, for example had an unemployment rate near eight per cent, which was a province-high at the time. It’s since come down to about half that.
Minister Nixon was asked by rdnewsNOW during a news conference what it will take for this program to put a dent in unemployment across the province.
Nixon started by saying the government is watching unemployment closely, however policy decisions can’t be based on just one year’s unemployment numbers, given how they fluctuate.
“My department and the department of finance obviously have major budget implications alone just based on where that unemployment number goes. At the end of the day, what we have to do is no matter what, every year, whether we have high unemployment or low, we have to continue to work with those who are looking for employment, and make sure we put resources around them to do so,” he said.
“In Alberta, with our fast-growing population, we find ourselves sometimes in a spot where we have higher unemployment numbers, but are hearing from employers on a daily basis they need more skilled workers.”
Nixon said WorkFirst will try to find and upskill workers to fill those gaps.
Last week, Premier Danielle Smith said she’d like to see Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program be scrapped or entirely reformed.
Nixon was asked where he sits on that, and also how the TFW program can mesh with WorkFirst.
Nixon didn’t delve into his opinion on the program which has allowed for the employment of many thousands of newcomers, but said he’s working closely with Joseph Schow, minister of jobs, economy, trade and immigration
“We both have different mandates, but at the end of the day, our mandates need to go the same spot, which is creating more employment opportunities, making sure that Albertans are employed, focusing on demographics that are in particular having trouble getting that employment, and focusing on employers that are having trouble getting employees,” he said.
“And we’ll continue to partner very, very closely with jobs and economy in the years to come.”
The province, which noted more than 38,000 Albertans received employment services through Nixon’s ministry last year, is also launching a marketing campaign related to WorkFirst.
Employers can enroll at alberta.ca/workfirst-alberta to get regular updates and take part in new initiatives.
The entire press conference from Tuesday can be viewed below:
