CALGARY, AB - July 15, 2026 - Western Canada's construction sector needs tens of thousands of new skilled trades workers by 2034, with 23 per cent of Alberta's skilled trades workforce, or 43,400 workers, expected to retire by 2034 (ACA/BuildForce Canada). Virtual Trades Inc. launched today to help close that gap, bringing immersive, simulation-based trades training to employers, training providers, unions and community organizations across Alberta and Saskatchewan through a partnership with Austin-based Interplay Learning.
The pressure is most acute in the West. BuildForce Canada forecasts Alberta will need 59,000 new construction workers by 2034 and Saskatchewan another 10,700, and both provinces face a shortfall even after accounting for new entrants to the trades.
"Western Canada has a major opportunity in front of it, however opportunity means very little if organisations cannot access the workforce they need to deliver. Virtual Trades was built to help close that gap. We are bringing immersive trades training to Western Canada so employers, educators, unions and community partners can build capability faster, improve safety, and create stronger pathways into the skilled construction trades."
— Shaun Went, Founder, Virtual Trades Inc.
Virtual Trades gives employers, unions and training providers a way to expand hands-on learning without building physical training infrastructure, wasting materials or adding on-site risk. Apprentices and workers can practice across 16 core trades, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC and a range of construction safety courses, building skill, confidence and repetition in simulation before they step onto a live job site.
By the Numbers
BuildForce Canada projects an industry-wide hiring requirement of 380,500 construction workers by 2034, driven in part by expected retirements of nearly 269,000 workers, or 21 per cent of the current labour force. Deloitte Canada's analysis puts the broader labour requirement at 410,000 to 520,000 workers by 2030. The federal government has proposed $6 billion over five years to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 new skilled trades workers under its Team Canada Strong initiative.
380,500
Construction workers needed by 2034
269K
Expected retirements by 2034
$6B
Federal investment proposed under Team Canada Strong
Provincial Workforce Shortfalls
Alberta
Construction contributes 8.3 per cent of provincial GDP, or $29 billion, and employs 268,100 people — 1 in 10 working Albertans. Even with new entrants, the province faces a potential shortfall of up to 15,400 skilled trades workers by 2034.
Saskatchewan
Roughly 9,000 construction workers are expected to retire by 2034, leaving a potential shortfall of up to 1,400 workers absent expanded recruitment and training.
Platform Now Available Across Western Canada
"This is about more than technology. It is about expanding access, accelerating readiness and helping more people succeed in high-demand careers that are essential to our economy and our communities."
— Shaun Went, Founder, Virtual Trades Inc.
"Skilled trades employers and workforce partners need training solutions that are scalable, flexible and grounded in real-world practice. We are pleased to partner with Virtual Trades to extend immersive training access in Western Canada and help more organisations prepare workers with the skills and confidence needed to succeed."
— Doug Donovan, CEO, Interplay Learning
Virtual Trades' launch is aimed at organisations looking to modernise workforce development and improve training outcomes in a market defined by tight labour supply, regional growth and rising demand for skilled, work-ready talent. The platform is now available for programmes, licensing and broader implementation across Western Canada. Interplay Learning is trusted by more than 14,000 companies and 500,000 learners worldwide.
About Virtual Trades
Virtual Trades is an Alberta-based SaaS company focused on strengthening workforce readiness across Canada's skilled trades sector by building competency through immersive learning. Its simulation-based training approach helps organizations give learners more practice, more flexibility and safer skills development, supporting faster readiness for real work in high-demand trades.
Shaun Went is the Founder of Virtual Trades Inc. He brings strategic leadership, deep industry expertise and a genuine passion for people to the company, guided by a vision to help Canadians build better lives through meaningful work in the skilled trades.
About Interplay Learning
Interplay Learning is a training content provider based out of Austin, Texas, specializing in immersive skilled trades simulations. The company's platform is trusted by more than 14,000 companies and 500,000 learners worldwide.
Images and videos available upon request.