Top Employer Award

The success of individual apprentices and Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training System is largely due to the efforts of employers.

The Top Employer Award provides formal recognition to exceptional employers. Two awards are presented annually – for the North and South regions of Alberta.

Nomination information:

Employers are nominated for the award by Apprenticeship and Industry Training AIT Officers.

Award criteria:

A nominee for a Top Employer Award:

  • demonstrates a strong support of apprenticeship training through:
    - a long history of training apprentices;
    - training apprentices in many different trades;
    - providing opportunity (e.g., dual apprenticeships or dual certification opportunities, consistently hiring entry-level apprentices);
    - participating in career fairs to promote apprenticeship training and careers in the trades;
    - promoting apprenticeship training and careers in the trades in local schools, and to local businesses;
    - participating in a Local or Provincial Apprenticeship Committee, or the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board;
    - involvement in CAREERS: The Next Generation activities; and
    - involvement in Skills Canada activities.
  • works to increase the probability of an apprentice’s success in the trade by:
    - providing an excellent training environment;
    - encouraging strong work ethics;
    - ensuring management is supportive of training (on-the-job, technical, additional); and
    - expecting excellence in work performed.
  • creates an environment of excellence where:
    - apprentices experience most areas of their trade;
    - career progress is acknowledged or rewarded; and
    - opportunity for long-term employment (if realistic considering the nature of the trade).

Award presentation:

The Top Employer Award is presented at the annual Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Awards of Excellence.

Top Employer Recipients: 

  • 2020

    • After Dark Motorcycles Inc. , Edmonton
    • Flynn Canada Ltd., Rockyview

  • 2019

    • The Diesel Shop, Yellowhead County
    • Donald Rigging Ltd., Calgary

  • 2018

    • Kaymor Machining & Welding Ltd., Clairmont
    • Headwater Equipment Sales Ltd., Lethbridge

  • 2017

    • Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper
    • Brandt Tractor Ltd., Red Deer

  • 2016

    • Suncor Energy Ltd., Fort McMurray
    • Southland International Trucks Ltd., Lethbridge