Two people shaking hands across a desk, sealing a partnership

Workforce Supports

80+ partners. One front door.

CAF coordinates the network of post-secondary, service-provider, sector and government partners that serve Central Alberta's workforce.

Start here

I'm an employer 6 supports for hiring and training I'm looking for work 5 supports for finding work Growing a business 5 regional and national organisations

New · Free video library

BizBites: Your Business Success Toolkit

Explore free business learning with practical advice from regional experts on AI, people management, finances, marketing, and more. Pick a topic, learn at your own pace, and put useful ideas to work in your business.

Browse the video library

For employers

Supports for hiring and training.

From custom training at the region's colleges to provincial workforce consultants - the partners that help Central Alberta employers find, train and keep their people.

Post-secondary institutions

Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College, Burman University and Campus Alberta Central - custom workforce training, apprenticeships and applied research collaborations.

Service Provider Supports

Service providers working with employers across Central Alberta, including Catholic Social Services - the only one of them working exclusively with newcomers, with the rest serving all demographics.

Sector councils

Construction, manufacturing, tourism and real estate industry associations. See all councils →

Government of Alberta liaisons

The ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration has a team of Workforce Consultants (WFC) that support developing a strong and resilient labour force by providing employer outreach services in all regions of the province. WFCs provide their stakeholders with knowledge and resources to address local and regional workforce, recruitment and retention. Email wfc@gov.ab.ca to be connected to the WFC in your area.

Alberta Employment Standards

The minimum rules every Alberta employer must follow - pay, hours of work, overtime, vacation, general holidays, leaves and ending employment. The Government of Alberta publishes the rules, fact sheets and tools for employers and employees. Visit Alberta Employment Standards →

For job seekers

Supports for finding work.

Alberta Supports maintains the full provincial directory of employment and training programs, which goes wider than the regional organisations listed here.

Open the Alberta Supports directory

Service Provider Supports

Free resume help, employment counselling and skills assessments from service providers across the region.

Post-secondary career services

Co-op, work-integrated learning and alumni networks at Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College, Burman University and Campus Alberta Central.

Staffing Agencies

Central Alberta has three staffing agencies that work with employers to fill short-term and permanent positions. While their focus is not primarily on building a bank of job seekers, they do assist workers looking for short-term or seasonal work. From there, as work comes in, the agency matches the job to the candidate. They see themselves more as a partner in your job search than a means to an end.

Indigenous workforce services

Tribal Chiefs Employment & Training and partner agencies serving Indigenous job seekers. Visit Alberta Supports →

Newcomer-led community groups

Filipino, Ukrainian, Punjabi and Francophone associations that help you land.

Beyond your municipality

Other business supports.

Regional and national organisations offering advice, funding, training and innovation support to Central Alberta businesses.

Business Link Alberta

Free business advice, market research and educational resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across Alberta start up and grow.

Visit site

CAF

Central Alberta First

A business-driven partnership aligning municipalities, industry, post-secondary institutions and economic development organisations across Central Alberta - turning shared challenges into collective priorities and regional initiatives.

Visit site

CARIN

Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network

Grows the regional innovation ecosystem by supporting technology- and knowledge-based companies, and connecting entrepreneurs to funding, advisory services and commercialisation programs.

Visit site

Community Futures Central Alberta

Coaching, advisory services, training and financing for small businesses in Central Alberta - practical support at start-up and through growth.

Visit site

NRC IRAP

National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program

Advisory services, technical expertise, funding and industry connections to help small and medium-sized enterprises develop and commercialise new technologies.

Visit site