Finding professional retraining courses in Edmonton is one of the most important steps toward building a successful career in Canada, especially if you are a newcomer or starting a new career. Edmonton offers an extremely diverse selection of educational programs, from free government initiatives to paid specialized courses at leading educational institutions. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to navigate this landscape, find a program that suits your needs, and calculate the cost of your education.
Main types of educational institutions in Edmonton
Edmonton has a wide selection of educational institutions that offer professional retraining courses. Each type of institution has its own advantages and specializations, so it is important to understand which institution best suits your goals.
Large public colleges and universities
MacEwan University is one of the most popular institutions for professional development in Edmonton. Their School of Continuing Education offers a wide range of programs aimed at upskilling and retraining. MacEwan offers courses in fields such as business, design, health care, and information technology. Of particular interest to newcomers is that MacEwan has special professional development programs for international students that are 12 months long and cost approximately $18,700 CAD. These programs cover fields such as business analysis, logistics management, project management, web development, and digital experience design.
NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) is a leader in technical training and applied education in Alberta. NAIT offers hundreds of courses through their Continuing Education program, covering virtually every technical field you can imagine. From construction, electrical, and plumbing to programming, cybersecurity, and project management, NAIT has a program for just about everyone. Importantly, NAIT offers courses in a variety of formats: in-person, fully online, or hybrid, allowing you to choose the learning schedule that works best for you.
NorQuest College is another leading educational institution in Edmonton, offering more than 60 programs and 400 courses. NorQuest is particularly known for its online offerings—they have 18 full programs available online. If you're looking for flexibility in your education, NorQuest may be the perfect choice. In addition, NorQuest offers microcredentials — short, recognized learning programs that help you quickly gain the skills needed in Alberta's most in-demand industries.
The University of Alberta also offers flexible, industry-focused programs and courses through its Continuing Education program. These programs are designed for professional development and may be particularly appealing if you are looking for a university-affiliated program.
Athabasca University — is Canada's open university, specializing in distance learning. If you are looking for complete flexibility and the ability to study without regular class times, Athabasca may be the right choice for you.
Specialized private colleges
Campbell College is a highly specialized institution best known for its career-focused programs. They offer four core diploma programs designed to take less than one year to complete. Campbell College is particularly proud of its 93% graduate employment rate. They work with companies and employers to ensure that their courses meet the real needs of the job market. Campbell College has small class sizes, which means more attention from instructors and better learning opportunities.
Academy of Learning Career College is another private college offering programs in accounting, business, administration, healthcare, and many other fields. They have an option for students to start their careers faster with short, focused programs.
Bredin Centre for Learning is an organization that specializes in providing government-funded training programs. They offer government-funded programs for unemployed Albertans and newcomers to Canada in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, and other locations. Their programs include 1-Step Employment, CareerLink, and Career Leap, all of which are designed to help people who are having difficulty entering the job market.
Training centers for newcomers and unemployed individuals
Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers (EMCN) is a leading organization for newcomers to Alberta. EMCN offers several specialized bridging programs for immigrants with international qualifications. Their programs include:
- Accountants' Bridging Program (12 months)
- Engineers' and Technologists' Integration Program (11 months)
- Constructing Futures Program (6 months)
- International Pharmacy Bridging Program (41 weeks)
These programs are designed specifically for people who already have qualifications and experience but need help adapting their skills to Canadian standards.
The Newcomer Centre is another important organization for newcomers. They offer programs such as Newcomers Essential Skills Training (NEST), a 5-month full-time program that will help you improve the skills you need to find a job. NEST is free, and you can receive financial support while you study. They also offer the Skill Up Program, a 17-week program where the first 8 weeks are classroom-based and the next 9 weeks are workplace-based. What's particularly attractive is that the Skill Up Program is paid — you receive a salary while you train on site.
Government programs and free training
One of the biggest advantages of Edmonton and Alberta as a whole is the wide range of government programs available free of charge to eligible candidates. These programs are funded by the Alberta provincial government and the Canadian federal government, making them accessible to people with varying financial means.
Career Leap
Career Leap is one of the most popular programs for people who want to change careers or enter the job market. It is a completely free program funded by a partnership between Alberta and the federal government. Career Leap provides you with:
- A skills gap analysis that identifies the skills you are missing to achieve your career goals
- A personalized learning plan tailored to your specific needs
- One-on-one sessions with advisors
- Work-based learning in real companies, where you are offered paid internships and the opportunity to be hired for permanent employment
- Connections with employers who are actively looking for qualified personnel
To be eligible for Career Leap, you must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be a permanent resident, Canadian citizen, or refugee with a positive decision
- Live in the Greater Edmonton Metropolitan Region
- Be unemployed or underemployed (working less than 20 hours per week)
- Be willing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week
Priority is given to candidates who are eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
Immigrant Bridging Program
The Immigrant Bridging Program is a specialized program for immigrants, permanent residents, and Canadian citizens who need retraining to build a career in Canada. This program includes:
- Competency training focused on a specific profession
- Work experience through unpaid internships at real companies
- Essential skills for working and living in Canada
The program is completely free for eligible candidates. Financial assistance for living expenses may be available depending on your circumstances. You can find Immigrant Bridging programs through the Employment and Training Services Directory on the Alberta.ca website.
Transition to Employment Services
This is an agency that provides one-on-one services to help people find and keep jobs. Services include:
- Job matching, where counselors help you find positions that match your skills
- Short-term training in important skills for a specific job
- Equipment needed for the job, if applicable
TECHCareers
TECHCareers is a free retraining program for unemployed professionals, developed in collaboration with the University of Alberta Technology Training Centre and Manpower. The program prepares you for the role of Software Developer. As it is government-funded, there is no fee to access.
NPower Canada
NPower Canada offers completely free technical programs for Canadians. They do not ask for any payments during the application process, during the program, or after completion. NPower offers certifications in IT and technical fields.
Government of Alberta Self-Employment Training
If you want to start your own business, the Self-Employment Training Program from Anderson Career Training Institute offers:
- 10 weeks of group training on all aspects of starting a business (marketing, sales, finance, law, risk management, business plan writing)
- 16 weeks of business coaching from experienced entrepreneurs
This program has been at ACTI for more than 25 years and has helped more than 1,500 Albertans.
How to find the right program for you
Step 1: Define your career goal
First of all, you need to have a clear idea of what career you want to pursue. This does not mean that you need to have a perfect plan, but you should have a rough idea. For example:
- Do you want to work in IT?
- Do you want to work in construction or related trades?
- Do you have international qualifications and need help with transitioning?
- Do you want to start your own business?
- Do you want to work in health care?
Defining this goal will help you narrow down your list of potential programs.
Step 2: Research the job market
Alberta has an online resource called ALIS (Careers, Learning, and Employment) that provides information about the demand for various occupations in the region. On ALIS, you can find out about:
- Average salaries
- Skills required for various jobs
- Job prospects for specific occupations
This will help you understand if there is a real demand for the job you want.
Step 3: Contact Alberta Supports
Alberta Supports is a government agency that helps Albertans find training and employment programs. You can:
- Call the hotline: 1-877-644-9992 (option 5) to speak with a Career Advisor
- Visit one of 50 Alberta Supports offices across the province (3 offices in Edmonton)
- Check out the Employment and Training Services Directory on the Alberta.ca website
A Career Advisor will be able to help you determine which programs you are eligible for and how to apply.
Step 4: Search by program type
Depending on your situation, you can search in different places:
For unemployed or underemployed individuals: Start with government programs through Alberta Supports. Most of them are free or have reduced costs.
For newcomers: Contact the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers or the Newcomer Centre to learn about bridging programs designed specifically for immigrants with international qualifications.
For people who can pay for tuition: Consider MacEwan University, NAIT, NorQuest College, or private colleges that offer more specialized programs.
For people who want to study online: NorQuest College has the largest selection of online programs, with 18 full programs available remotely. NAIT also offers many courses online.
Step 5: Check admission requirements
Each program has different admission requirements. Some programs require:
- A minimum level of English proficiency (often measured using Canadian Language Benchmarks — CLB)
- A degree
- Work experience
- Specific test scores
Make sure you meet the requirements before applying.
For example:
- The Accountants' Bridging Program at EMCN requires a minimum CLB 6 in all skills, an accounting diploma from an international institution, and work experience in the field.
- Career Leap requires that you are unemployed or underemployed and willing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Skill Up Program for construction requires CLB Level 5+, permanent residency or citizenship, and legal right to work in Canada.
Understanding Costs and Funding
Free Programs
As mentioned, many programs in Edmonton are completely free:
- Career Leap — free
- Immigrant Bridging Programs — free
- TECHCareers — free
- NPower Canada — free
- The vast majority of programs through the Bredin Centre for Learning — free
- The vast majority of programs at the Newcomer Centre — free or with financial support
In addition, some programs are not only free, but also paid during training. For example, the Skill Up Program pays you a salary during the 9-week practical component.
Paid programs
If you choose a private college or specialized programs at public institutions, the cost will vary:
- MacEwan International Professional Development: approximately $18,700 CAD for a 12-month program
- VVS Adult Upgrading (to obtain a high school diploma): $150 per credit (a 5-credit course costs $750)
- Campbell College: cost depends on the program (usually less than a year)
- NAIT Continuing Education: cost depends on the specific course (ranges from hundreds to several thousand dollars for longer programs)
Financial aid
If you need financial assistance, consider the following options:
- Student Loans and Grants from provincial and federal governments
- Financial aid programs at most colleges and universities
- Scholarships and awards from government agencies and private organizations
- Employer sponsorship — some employers sponsor their employees' education
Practical steps to get started
Step 1: Gather information
- Define your career goal and the reasons why you want to retrain.
- Research the job market using ALIS.
- Make a list of institutions and programs that interest you.
- Gather information about the admission requirements, cost, duration, and format of each program.
Step 2: Contact institutions
- Send an email or call three to five colleges that interest you.
- Ask about specific requirements for your situation.
- Ask about financing and scholarships.
- Try to schedule time to attend an information session or talk with an admissions counselor.
Step 3: Compare your options
Compare at least three different programs based on the following criteria:
- Fit with your career goals
- Cost and available funding
- Format (in-person, online, hybrid)
- Duration of the program
- Provision of career services after graduation
- Reputation of the institution and graduate success rates
Step 4: Apply
Apply to the two or three programs that interest you most. Most programs have an online application process. Make sure you submit all required documents on time.
Step 5: Wait for a decision
Some programs notify applicants of their decision immediately, while others may take several weeks. If you are offered a place, make sure you understand all aspects of the program before accepting the offer.
Conclusion
Finding a professional retraining program in Edmonton is entirely achievable, especially when you have access to such a wide range of resources. Whether you are a newcomer, unemployed, or simply looking to change careers, there are options that fit your budget and schedule. Alberta Supports and ALIS are excellent starting points for your research, and institutions such as MacEwan University, NAIT, NorQuest College, and Bredin Centre for Learning have a long history of teaching people new skills for new careers.
The most important thing is to take the first step and start researching. The sooner you start, the sooner you can begin your new career in Edmonton.