Kudos to the Alberta and federal Governments for introducing a cost-shared program for energy retrofits.

ACA has been advocating for such programs to facilitate green-house gas emissions from the built environment. This is an excellent first step and ACA encourages continued investment to incent improved efficiencies.

Click here for the Government media release.

Past advocacy:
ACA Advocates for Energy Retrofit Financing

As result of legislation passed last year there are a number of changes to the WCB some of which go into effect September 1, 2018.

First is the Code of Rights and Conduct which articulates the rights of workers and employers in their interactions with the WCB and how they commit to operate in recognition of these rights.

Second, the establishment of employers’ obligation to return injured workers to work (and workers’ responsibility to cooperate). Find out what the employer obligations are via this fact sheet.

Third, continuing coverage for injured workers under their employers’ existing health benefits program. Learn more in the WCB employer fact sheet.

Finally, a provision of interim relief for workers and employers while their matters are under review or appeal. This is financial support provided in exceptional circumstances where financial hardship is demonstrated.  For more information read the employer fact sheets.

For further information:

• Sign up for WCB email newsletter (new in 2018) if you’d like to receive updates about changes resulting from new legislation and other system enhancements.
• Learn more about what’s changing in policy and when those changes are taking place.
• Register for the new seminar on the Bill 30 WCB changes to learn more about the changes.

Alberta Construction Association on May 7, 2018 sent a letter to the government regarding member support for the dual credit programs. Through the education ministry leadership, progress has been made with dual-credit programs, including the Alberta Dual Credit Framework. Dual-credit accelerates initiation of apprenticeship through earning post-secondary credits while in high school.

The recent review by ACA indicates the need for more districts to offer construction trades dual-credit options, and to provide more visibility for the options that do exist.

ACA urged the government to consider the following recommendations:

• Add specific criteria for establishment and maintenance of dual-credit programs as a pillar within the Accountability Framework. Specifically, ACA would welcome a new measure of the growth in student enrollment in construction trades-related dual credit programs.
• Dedicate funding to enhance the Teacher Bridging Programs to encourage teachers to pursue their apprenticeship training, and to encourage tradespeople to pursue their teacher certification. This may be an area to encourage industry participation in joint fundraising for scholarships and / or bursaries.
• Encourage partnerships with industry to support the school district with resources and to support RAP placements for students enrolled in these programs.

To read the letter in full click here.

To read the Construction Dual Credit backgrounder click here.