CANADA-ALBERTA PRODUCTIVITY GRANT

Please join the Workforce Consultant team with the Government of Alberta as we host a FREE 1.5-hour webinar on the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG).

Expert speakers will guide you through the program, including who is eligible, how to apply, as well as answer questions. The CAPG program is Alberta’s new program which helps employers invest in productivity training initiatives. This session is perfect for anyone interested in learning how CAPG can support employers investing in skill development for both current and future employees.

Date: January 21, 2026

Time: 1:30 – 3:00pm

EXCELLENCE IN MANUFACTURING CONSORTIUM

Join the Alberta Government Workforce Consultant Team for a FREE 1-hour webinar featuring the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC). EMC is dedicated to helping manufacturers grow and remain competitive. In this session, you’ll discover programs and resources designed to meet Alberta employers’ workforce needs, including wage subsidies, WIL Works, and other initiatives that help businesses attract, develop, and retain top talent.

January 28, 2026

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

LOCAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

In order to assist local business in gaining information on business opportunities with local municipalities, CFB Wainwright etc., the Wainwright Economic Development Office will periodically send out business opportunities featured on   merx.com  and CanadaBuys that pertain particularly to Wainwright and area.

These are systems used by the Government for procurement of goods and services over $25,000.

WESTERN INNOVATION FORUM

Western Innovation Forum 2026 (WIF 2026) is a business-to-business (B2B) meeting event and will take place virtually on February 24-26, 2026. There is no cost to register.


Reasons to participate in WIF

• WIF 2026 is an industry-oriented event that connects western Canada’s defence industries, cutting-edge innovators, and researchers to innovation-driven investment, research, partnerships, and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB)-related business opportunities.
• Last year, WIF attracted 360 participants, including 32 defence prime contractors/tier 1 suppliers, and featured over 800 B2B meetings.

ALBERTA AVIATION, AEROSPACE & DEFENCE SUMMIT

Attend the Alberta Aerospace & Defence Summit in Edmonton from May 3 - 5, 2026. This two-day event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, government, and academia to explore opportunities, share insights, and drive growth across Alberta’s aerospace, aviation, and defence sectors.

The Summit will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, B2B matchmaking, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen Alberta’s role in the global aerospace and defence ecosystem. It will also include an Aircraft Maintenance Competition to showcase the skills of the everyday Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Students interested in this career path will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and speak with industry professionals.

WAINWRIGHT RN PROGRAM

The University of Calgary, in collaboration with Alberta Health Services, is offering the Rural Community Route – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program in Wainwright, with the next intake scheduled for September 2026.

Important: There will be no intake at the Wainwright site in 2027, so interested students are strongly encouraged to apply for the 2026 intake.

Applications are OPEN. The deadline to apply March 1, 2026.

For full program details and to apply, please visit: https://nursing.ucalgary.ca/undergraduate/rural

For questions about admission requirements, tuition, financial aid, or the application process, please contact: bnosinfo@ucalgary.ca

BUSINESS EDUCATION

ALBERTA GOVERNMENT

Temporary Foreign Worker Advisory Office - TFW and Employer Rights and Responsibilities

January 28

ALBERTA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Setting up Social Media

January 16

Intro to Barter for Business: A Smart Way to Save Cash and Grow

January 20

How to Choose the Right CRM for Your Business (Even If You’ve Tried Before)

January 21

AI Learning Series: Practical AI Strategies for Business Owners (5 Part)

January 27

Preparing For Financing | Business Learning Series

February 5

BUSINESS LINK


Solve the Right Problem: How Customers Decide to Hire You

January 15

Fraud Prevention 101 for Entrepreneurs

January 22

How to Build a Stronger and More Profitable Business in 2026

January 29

GRANTS AND FUNDING

General

• Indigenous Employment Training Partnerships Program
• Training on the Job Program
• Workforce Partnership Grant
• Workforce Strategies Grant
• Workplace Training Program

Industry-Specific

• Alberta Manufacturing Productivity Grant
• Class 1 Commercial Driver Employment Pathway Grant
• Addressing the Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program
• Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII)
• Training & Wage Subsidies for Environmental Jobs

Apprenticeship related Incentives for Employers:

• Apprenticeship job creation tax credit
• Canada Apprentice Loan
• Apprenticeship Grants: Funding opportunities for skilled trades and apprenticeship
• Supports for skilled trades and apprenticeship
• Canada Tradesperson’s Tool deduction – up to $500 per year
• Supplementary unemployment benefit plan (SUBP)

Youth and Apprenticeships

• CAREERS - Alberta Youth Employment Incentive
• CAREERS - Youth Internship Incentive Program (YIIP)
• Empowering Futures for Apprentices
• FIRST (First Industry Research Science Technology) Jobs Pilot Program (Technology Alberta)
• Student Work Placement Program
• Trade Pathways Program
• Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) Funding Programs

BUSINESS RESOURCES

• Alberta Innovates
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
• Agriculture Job Connector
• Alberta Online Learning Centre
• Battle River Alliance for Economic Development
• Business Link
• Community Futures East Central Alberta
• East Central Regional Innovation Network
• Futurpreneur Canada
• Government of Alberta Supports for Business
• Investment & Growth Strategy
• Prairies Economic Development Canada - Canada.ca
• Startup Lloydminster
• Wainwright & District Chamber of Commerce

ECONOMY STATISTICS

• Indicators at a Glance
• Weekly Economic Review
• Labour Market Notes

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

If you would like to be featured as a Business Highlight in an upcoming newsletter, please email cherbert@wainwright.ca