Hands-On Training
Hands-On Future

FOR INDIGENOUS, BY INDIGENOUS

At Trade Winds, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to chart your own path.

Trade Winds to Success is building a legacy that will be felt for generations to come. Our vision is to create opportunities for Indigenous people in Alberta by providing high-quality pre-trades training in the construction trades. Trade Winds doesn’t just train students, we change lives and help build futures for you and your family.

Trade Winds began with the desire to address the under-employment of Indigenous Albertans and meet the growing need for skilled trades. Every day, we see firsthand the impact of hands-on education and how it builds hope and opportunity for our community.

Our training empowers Indigenous students

At Trade Winds to Success, we empower First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students to achieve success in the construction trades by offering free, supportive pre-trades training and fundamental hands-on experience.

Established in 2005, we partner with Indigenous Skills and Employment Training agreement holders, union training trusts, government agencies, and a growing number of industry partners. Together, we provide training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and tools needed to secure employment.

Our graduates are industry-ready, equipped with the skills and support needed to succeed. Employers value the dedicated, skilled workers who are ready to excel from day one.

Join us at Trade Winds and take the first step to a fulfilling career in the construction trades.

Learn More »

Starla Jacknife

Starla's journey with Trade Winds is proof of the power of our program. After battling addiction and homelessness, she found a new family in Trade Winds. Graduating as a Finishing Carpenter, Starla now has a promising future filled with pride and excitement. Hear more from Starla here »

Justin Menzak

When Justin felt lost and directionless, Trade Winds helped him find his confidence and the direction he needed. Today, he’s focused on building a better future for himself.

Faith Waskewitch

Despite welding being historically male-dominated, women like Faith are breaking barriers. Faith transitioned from a career in cooking to welding through the Trade Winds to Success Pre-Employment Program, overcoming personal challenges and ultimately achieving her goal. She is now progressing towards becoming a journeyperson in welding.

Dante Houle

Dante discovered his passion for the trades through Trade Winds, which has ultimately transformed his life. Growing up in Wabasca, Alberta, Dante found new direction, and with the help of dedicated instructors, he excelled in the electrician course and now sees a brighter future in his new career.

Justin Halcrow

Meet Justin, a Trade Winds graduate who transformed his life after serving time in Drumheller Penitentiary. Leaving behind a life of gang violence and drug dealing, he found new purpose through the Trade Winds program, studying to become a millwright. He credits the program with helping him overcome adversity and encourages others to consider a career in the trades.

Our Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Linda Domak

President, Community Futures Treaty 7

Mike Bohnet

Vice President, Millwrights Training Trust

Karen Minde

Director, Oteenow Employment and Training Society

Chris Waples

Director, Local 488 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union

OPERATIONAL TEAM

Shannon McCarthy

Executive Director

Carol Lee

Manager - Trade Winds Programs

Gary Dureski

Manager - Residential Construction Program - Journeyman Carpenter

Steven Graham

Manager - Outreach Services

Ian Sampietro

Foundations Instructor

Walter Cardinal

Apprenticeship Retention Officer

Lisper Picoto

Program Assistant

Mike Nay

Outreach Foundations Instructor

Kyle Slavik

Carpentry Instructor - Journeyman Carpenter

Dave McGuinness

Lead Instructor - Journeyman Carpenter

Nike Fabiyi

Fund Development Officer

Priscilla Hidalgo

Purchaser/Finance Clerk

Maxine Leiber

Administrative Assistant

Our Mission

Trade Winds to Success provides pre-trades training and support to Indigenous people in Alberta, to secure employment and journeyperson status in the construction trades, leading to economic self-sufficiency.

Our Vision

To be Alberta's premier construction pre-trades training program for Indigenous people.

Our Values

Empowerment: Enabling individuals to achieve their full potential.
Community: Fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Excellence: Committing to high standards in training and education.
Respect: Honoring Indigenous cultures and traditions.

The Trade Winds to Success Training Society is established

Since then, we’ve been changing lives while helping to build Alberta’s economy.

Industry support

When federal funding ended, we invited private industry to join us. Companies such as ConocoPhillips Canada, Enbridge Northern Gateway, Shell Canada and E&P came on board.

Girl Power

Trade Winds’ first all-women student cohort overcame two COVID shutdowns, spotty internet and bad weather to build a tiny home in the remote community of John D’Or Prairie.

Bringing the small home in-house

Building inside a shop in Edmonton meant no bad weather. It also increased program access for Indigenous students from across Alberta. Students build small eco-smart houses in the shop with completed homes offered to Indigenous communities in Alberta.

Program recognition

Residential Construction Program graduates receive 330 hours towards on-the-job learning as a first-year carpenter.

Training the whole person

We brought our academic training and student support in-house. We help Indigenous students overcome barriers that prevent them from achieving high paying and stable trades employment in the construction industry.

Improved employment outcomes

Trade Winds placed an emphasis on building employer partnerships so that our graduates have become sought after.

COVID completions

Despite the hurdles presented by the pandemic, 128 students started the program, 91 completed and 45 found employment.

Serving Southern Alberta

While we had to close our Calgary office recently due to funding, we continue to offer our Residential Construction Program in southern communities on a cost-recovery basis through our outreach program and other training programs in southern communities.