Rob Calver, Strategic Engagement and Development Director of the BTA, and Chris Waples, Director of Education at UA Local 488, joined representatives from 12 Caribbean countries at the SAGE (Skills to Access the Green Economy) Apprenticeship Summit in Saint Lucia to share apprenticeship expertise and build networks across the Caribbean.
Rob Calver’s involvement in the SAGE Initiative began earlier this year when he hosted a delegation of Caribbean leaders at Alberta Pipe Trades College. These delegates experienced firsthand Alberta’s robust apprenticeship system, guided by union leadership and industry collaboration. During this tour, Rob facilitated in-depth discussions with faculty, highlighting the benefits of integrating hands-on learning with strong mentorship. The visit inspired delegates to explore how similar models could be adapted to their home countries.
SAGE, a Government of Canada-funded initiative led by the visionary Pat Bidart, aims to strengthen the capacity of Caribbean countries to meet growing demands for skilled workers in emerging industries. The summit served as a pivotal gathering leaders in industry and government to share best practices and explore innovative training models.
Rob and Chris presented on the value of the union-led training utilized across Alberta’s Building Trades Unions. This is a system that connects apprentices with dynamic, industry-informed training that facilitates collaboration among labour, industry, and government to get apprentices ready for success. industry standards. They shared success stories from UA Local 488, including high completion rates, strong industry alignment, and the positive impact on worker mobility and safety. Participants were especially interested in this collaborative approach and its adaptability of apprenticeship models.
During their time at the summit, Rob and Chris held meetings with the island’s labour leaders. Together, the group discussed the challenges and opportunities around union-led apprenticeship training. They explored the potential for unions to take a leading role in curriculum development, mentorship, and certification—drawing on the Alberta union’s longstanding experience. The conversations revealed both enthusiasm and hurdles: while there is recognition of the value unions add in workforce development, Caribbean trade unions often face resource constraints and varying degrees of recognition within the broader education and industrial landscape.
Additionally Rob and Chris toured two Saint Lucian hospitals to assess the existing infrastructure and workforce capabilities. These firsthand observations informed their recommendations for curriculum development, equipment needs, and instructor training. Their site visits underscored the importance of not only technical skills but also ongoing certification and quality assurance. The leaders emphasized that a locally delivered Med-Gas certification program, based on Alberta’s proven model, would address an immediate skills gap while building long-term capacity within Saint Lucia’s healthcare sector.
Lucia’s health sector. Director Thomas outlined a need for Med-Gas (Medical Gas) certification among local tradespeople—a requirement for safe installation and maintenance of medical gas systems in hospitals. Currently, Saint Lucia relies heavily on foreign contractors for this specialized work, creating both logistical and economic challenges. Rob and Chris immediately recognized the potential for localized training programs, tailored to CSA (Canadian Standards Association) Med-Gas certification standards, which could empower local workers and reduce dependency on external labor.
The exchange between the Building Trades of Alberta and industry leaders across the Caribbean exemplifies the value of innovations in training achieved in Alberta’s unionized apprenticeship system. This system has delivered the safest and most highly skilled workforce in North America, delivering quality results on time and on budget.
The BTA is proud to share the success of this system and develop training partnerships abroad while working closely with the Government of Alberta, along with contractor and owner partners, to build greatness at home.