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By rdnewsNOW staff

Central Alberta businesses

Red Deer District Chamber, RDP, and Central Alberta First partner to address labour market challenges

Mar 19, 2026 | 1:41 PM

The Red Deer District Chamber, Central Alberta First, and Red Deer Polytechnic have partnered to solidify a new project called Helping Central Alberta Businesses Prepare for the Future of Work.

Officials say the three organizations joining forces are to help the region’s businesses examine workforce gaps and find solutions.

The project is led by the Red Deer District Chamber and funded by a Labour Market Partnership grant through the provincial government.

The Chamber explained the project will respond to labour market challenges in central Alberta, including skills mismatches, demographic shifts, and increasing impact from automation, digitalization, and evolving work models.

“Central Alberta businesses are feeling labour market pressure every day, from skills gaps to the growing impact of automation and changing work models,” said Amber Mack, Chief Operating Officer at the Red Deer District Chamber. “This project is a practical, employer-driven step forward. By partnering with Red Deer Polytechnic and Central Alberta First, we’re combining applied research with real business insight to help employers plan for what’s next, by turning regional challenges into actionable solutions for local employers.”

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Employers across the trades, professional services, transportation, and business administration are facing ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining workers.

The partnership hopes to address these pressures by aligning research, employer input, and regional priorities.

“We are proud to collaborate on this forward-looking initiative that strengthens central Alberta’s economic resilience,” says Dr. Tonya Wolfe, Associate Vice President, Applied Research, Red Deer Polytechnic. “By combining applied research with meaningful employer engagement, we’re helping businesses identify emerging skill needs and build a workforce equipped for the future. This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering evidence-based insights and practical tools that support employers in a rapidly evolving labour market.”

The project builds on the work of the Business Retention, Expansion & Workforce Development (BREWD), expanding regional collaboration and enhancing evidence-based workforce planning, employer readiness and, the capacity to adapt to future labour market conditions-based workforce planning.

“This project builds on the BREWD initiative and is one of eight priority actions moving forward in 2026 to strengthen Central Alberta’s economy,” shares Sandra Blyth, Chairperson, Central Alberta First. “By aligning research with employer needs, we’re helping businesses prepare for the future of work.”

As the partnership comes into form, Red Deer Polytechnic will conduct the labour market analysis, design and deliver research pilots and provide the technical and academic expertise that informs the project’s outcomes. This project will feature several components, such as a regional labour market Needs Assessment to examine workforce gaps, emerging skills and innovation opportunities.

An Employer Action Plan and practical toolkit will be developed to support workforce planning and technology adoption.

There will also be ongoing employer and stakeholder engagement through consultations, focus groups and pilot participation.

The findings will be shared at a later time through multiple forms.