2020
ANNUAL REPORT
Enabling tomorrow’s workforce today
Invest in the future. Hire Alberta youth.
OUR VISION
Strong vibrant communities where youth develop successful careers
OUR MISSION
I’ve always been a hands-on learner, and I didn’t want the fact that welding is a male-dominated industry to stop me from pursuing my passion. Thanks to CAREERS, my off-campus coordinator at Hilltop High School, and the Registered Apprenticeship Program, I was able to earn credits while gaining hands-on experience in the trade. Now, I’m a year away from my journey person’s ticket in a career I love.
Embracing New Challenges
We take pride in our ability to adapt to the changing needs of our stakeholders, so when COVID-19 began impacting Albertans, CAREERS jumped into action. We offered support to educators with engaging, interactive online presentations. Our first ever virtual health camp was a resounding success, drawing students from more communities across the province than ever before. Our new School Bulletin has continued to provide educators with online tools, resources, and opportunities. Yes, the pandemic has challenged us all, but together we have found ways to continue safely supporting youth on their path to career success.
Jonan Hatt
CAREERS Program Coordinator
A message from the Chair and President & CEO
2020 in Review and the New Year Ahead
2020 has certainly proven to be a very challenging year with COVID-19 and a struggling global economy and it required CAREERS to be more agile and flexible in delivering career opportunities to Alberta youth to experience a workplace internship. Fortunately, we were well positioned to extend our ability to go virtual in supporting students and employers. CAREERS, with our school partners, connected students with employers in 853 paid internships while ensuring the safety of our team and all stakeholders with the introduction of some very rigorous COVID-19 safety protocols.
A new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) program was launched to provide internship opportunities with a focus on digital skills currently in high demand as our society becomes more technology dependent and driven. The development of other new pathways began in Non-Destructive Testing, Agriculture and Motor Transport that support in-demand career opportunities.
CAREERS remains committed to increasing the number of paid internships for Alberta youth to 6,000 annually in a few short years and have identified a number of initiatives with schools and employers to get us to our goal.
As we look forward to 2021, we know both the pandemic and the economy will continue to impact our efforts. However, the programs we deliver in trades and technologies, along with well-paying career options for youth, will be more important than ever.
We appreciate all the support in these tough times from students, parents, schools, employers and funders as we prepare for brighter days. Together, we are building a motivated and talented skilled workforce that will pave the way to a better Alberta.
Jim Carter
Board Chair
Andy Neigel
President & CEO
Created for CAREERS by YouthComputing, a non-profit group in Fort McMurray comprised of youth interested in pursuing a career in Information & Communications Technology.
2020 Results
Paid Internships: 853 (80 Indigenous)
Employers: 482
Schools: 354
Interns
since 1997
Awards & Celebrations
Awards of Excellence
These awards recognize the remarkable efforts of student interns, employer mentors and off-campus champions in experiential learning. The John Aldred Ambassadorship Award and Eric Newell Award of Excellence honour exemplary ambassadors, leaders and champions of the CAREERS’ mission—enabling youth on their path to rewarding careers.
The High School Apprenticeship Scholarship Celebration highlights student achievement in the Registered Apprenticeship Program and Career and Technology Studies learning pathways. For the first time ever, this event was broadcasted live online, bringing together students, parents, employers, and educators from across the province for a fun-filled and inspirational evening. Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training provides these annual scholarships to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals and industry game changers.
These awards recognize the remarkable efforts of student interns, employer mentors and off-campus champions in experiential learning. The John Aldred Ambassadorship Award and Eric Newell Award of Excellence honour exemplary ambassadors, leaders and champions of the CAREERS’ mission—enabling youth on their path to rewarding careers.
High school student Lainey Edmonds knew she liked working with cars, but after exploring different options through CAREERS, she discovered her perfect fit as an Outdoor Power Equipment Technician.
Her mentor, Chris Duffy, continues to support apprentices like Lainey because he says, it helps build his future workforce. “The Registered Apprenticeship Program is awesome. If you can get more high school kids into trades, whether it be mechanics or carpentry, or any trade right now, get them in it and get them going.”
They pointed me in the right direction, and I’ve got my foot in the door for a career now. Without this program I don’t know what I would have been doing.
Lainey Edmonds,
Outdoor Power Equipment
Technician Apprentice
Recreational Power Sports
Programs
The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is a joint Alberta Education and Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) initiative allowing students to begin their apprenticeship training in their choice of over 50 skilled trades while still in high school. In partnership with schools, CAREERS facilitated 633 internships (35 Indigenous). These students (grade 10–12) earned credits, a wage and in some cases, hours towards journeyperson certification.
Students can earn both high school and post-secondary credits at the same time in the following programs: Oil and Gas Production, Water Wastewater Operations, 4th Class Power Engineering, and Non-Destructive Testing. In total, 12 students fast-tracked their training and explored these technology-driven careers.
Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)
Internships Facilitated
It’s just been an amazing opportunity.
Mathew Unrau,
4th Class Power Engineering Intern
International Paper
Employment and Social Development Canada predicts that 180,000 tech workers will be needed in the next ten years as the fast-growing segment of Alberta’s economy. This program engages youth to expand their tech skills and consider futures in the ICT sector. A pilot ran in Calgary and Fort McMurray with provincial expansion in 2021.
CAREERS, Work Wild and Inside Education have come together to create a powerhouse for increasing awareness of forestry occupations. Efforts included presentations and events connecting industry experts with students throughout the province and resulted in 13 internships (2 Indigenous).
This program provides mentorship for Indigenous students, guiding them through career pathways in an expanded choice of occupations. Continued success is strengthened through the formal partnerships with the Alexander First Nation, Fort McKay First Nation, and Metis Nation of Alberta Local 1935.
High school students can explore over 200 health-related occupations. In 2020, there were 17 internships (3 Indigenous), and 264 students who participated in CAREERS first ever virtual health camp.
Financials
October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020
(reported in thousands)
$8M
Employer payroll contribution
to youth internships in 2020
(est.)
Board of Directors & Leadership Team
As at December 10, 2020
JIM CARTER, OC, Board Chair
ERIC NEWELL, OC, Founding Chair
Directors
Michael Colborne
Chairman & CEO, Pacific Western Transportation
Andre Corbould,
Non-voting
Deputy Minister,
Alberta Education
Shirley Dul
Corporate Director
Doug Fingland
Director, TA Planning and Logistics Regional Services, Upstream, Suncor Energy
Heather Kennedy
Corporate Director
David LeMay,
Vice Chair
Corporate Director
Bernd Manz
Corporate Director
Brian McConkey,
Secretary & Treasurer, Finance and Audit Chair
VP Human Resources,
Millar Western Forest Products
Jerry McPherson
VP Maintenance & Projects, Syncrude Canada
Sheila O’Brien, CM
Corporate Director
Kristin Romeril
VP Operations,
Kaizen Automotive Group
Sandra Sutter
Indigenous Partnerships Manager, PTW Energy Services
John Wilson,
Nominations Chair
President & CEO, Hedco Group
Donavon Young,
Non-voting
Deputy Minister,
Alberta Indigenous Relations
CAREERS appreciates the contributions of retiring board members
Dr. Curtis Clarke, Deputy Minister, Alberta Education,
and Drew Zieglgansberger, Executive V.P., Upstream Cenovus Energy.
Leadership Team
Andy Neigel, President & CEO
Ericka Folk, Director Partnerships
Janis Lawrence-Harper, Director Research & Development
Jolienne Halisky, Director Finance & Corporate Services
Stacey Rishaug, Director Marketing & Communications
Stefan Rutkowski, Director Operations
A Winning Strategy
A love for skilled trades runs deep among the Patzer brothers in Fort McMurray. 21-year-old Kory started exploring his options while attending Westwood Community High School. With help from his off-campus coordinator and CAREERS: The Next Generation, he was accepted into the Dual Credit Electrical Program. From there, he joined the CAREERS CO-OP program, and is currently in the final year of completing his journeyperson certification.
19-year-old Levi joined the program next, but unlike his older brother, he found his path as an Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) through the Registered Apprenticeship Program. He was then accepted into the CAREERS CO-OP Program where he continues to work on his third year.
At just 17-years-old, Aiden took advantage of the Dual Credit Electrical Program with his sights set on getting journeyperson certification in multiple trades.
Kory couldn’t be happier to see his brothers following in his footsteps.
These programs were the right choice for me and my brothers because it gave us all constant work while allowing us to go to school to finish our apprenticeships. We were able to gain invaluable knowledge in our trade that we can now use for our futures.
Kory Patzer
Electrician Apprentice
Syncrude Canada
Aidan Patzer
Electrician Apprentice
Syncrude Canada
Levi Patzer
Industrial Mechanic Apprentice
Syncrude Canada
Strategic Pillars
Employer Engagement
Youth Engagement
Youth, parents, and teachers are aware of and excited about career integrated learning opportunities.
Indigenous Engagement
Indigenous youth are supported in career path awareness, exploration and experiences for greater participation in the Alberta economy.
Stakeholder Engagement
CAREERS is the partner of choice to enable youth career path development.
Fiscal Sustainability
Long-term, sustainable, diverse funding supports CAREERS initiatives.
The generosity of our donors provide a future for youth, enabling young people to:
- Explore a career in demand now and in the future
- Connect learning to earning
- Be empowered with knowledge and skills on their way to a rewarding career
