The Manitoba government says apprenticeship training and certification are on the rise as it works to strengthen the province’s skilled trades workforce.
Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses says Manitoba certified more journeypersons this year than at any point in the last five years, calling it a significant step toward meeting labour demands in high-growth sectors.
New workforce data from four school construction projects and the Victoria Hospital emergency room redevelopment also shows apprentices completed 21 per cent of reported construction hours worked. That figure is more than double the Manitoba Jobs Agreement’s original target of 10 per cent.
The province reports Manitoba workers completed 99 per cent of reported hours on those projects during the first nine months of reporting, a sign that local workers are benefiting from government-funded construction initiatives.
Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable says increased participation in technical training and stronger employer involvement in on-the-job learning are helping more Manitobans pursue careers in the skilled trades. She credits partnerships between colleges, unions, industry and government for expanding training opportunities.
The growth is being supported by a $7.2-million investment announced in Budget 2026, the largest increase in apprenticeship funding in more than a decade. The funding will be used to modernize program delivery, expand training opportunities and support additional apprentices seeking certification.
Industry leaders say on-the-job experience remains critical. Manitoba Building Trades Executive Director Tanya Palson says apprenticeship success depends on access to quality work placements under experienced journeypersons, helping develop the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
