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The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $560,000 to support union-led apprenticeship training for construction electricians, aiming to grow the province’s skilled trades workforce and strengthen energy infrastructure.
Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison made the announcement Monday, highlighting the role of qualified tradespeople in maintaining Saskatchewan’s power grid and meeting future energy demands.
“Qualified tradespeople are key to sustaining the integrity and reliability of our power grid while Saskatchewan expands its infrastructure and power generation options to meet the needs of our strong and growing economy,” Harrison said. “Supporting quality training led by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) will help address our province’s trades labour market needs and ensure Saskatchewan workers are first in line for the jobs being created in our province.”
The funding builds on a Memorandum of Understanding and Letter of Intent signed with IBEW in September 2024, which outlined a plan to expand apprenticeship training for both construction electricians and powerline technicians.
The provincial government says the initiative will help supply the skilled labour needed for future projects, including power station upgrades tied to the province’s decision to extend the life of coal assets. The MOU also lays the groundwork for future training in emerging areas, such as nuclear energy development.
The IBEW will use the funds to purchase training equipment for a new program launching in Regina in fall 2025, with plans to expand the same offering to Saskatoon. A separate apprenticeship stream for Powerline Technicians is also in development.
“We are proud to take on the responsibility of delivering apprenticeship training for electrician apprentices in Saskatchewan,” said IBEW Local 2038 Business Manager Christopher Unser. “We have a deeply vested interest in every apprentice’s success, because when they succeed, our industry thrives.”
Unser said the IBEW’s approach blends mentorship, hands-on experience and classroom instruction — a model that has produced world-class electricians across North America for more than a century.
The training program will be open to both IBEW members and non-members, expanding access to industry-recognized instruction for aspiring tradespeople across the province.