Alberta Board of Skilled Trades

The Alberta Board of Skilled Trades (ABST) is responsible for advising the Minister on the direction of Alberta's designated trades certification system. The board is responsible for:

• promoting designated trades and the value of certification,
• consulting with industry on: 
  • the standards and requirements for certification, and
  • which activities within designated trades should only be performed by individuals who meet specific requirements, and what those requirements should be (restricted activities), 
• making recommendations to government on: 
  • which professions should be designated as trades in Alberta,
  • competencies that apprentices should be educated on through apprenticeship education programs, and more,
• establishing details of designated trades, through board orders, including: 
  • the undertakings and activities that fall within a trade, 
  • the standards and requirements for certification, 
  • out-of-province certifications recognized as equivalent to Alberta's, and
  • education or training outside of apprenticeship education programs that meets some of the requirements for certification.

The board is made up of 15 Albertans (see board member bios) with expert knowledge of the contribution of skilled trades professionals to Alberta's economy and the needs of Alberta's labour market for skilled and trained individuals. The board may establish committees to assist and advise the board in exercising its powers and carrying out its functions. Do you have expertise in one or more of Alberta’s skilled trades and are interested in sharing your feedback with the board and AIT? Learn more about applying to become a member of the My Skilled Trades Network.

The board’s work is guided by the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act and the Public Agencies Governance Framework. Learn more about the former Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.