Organization
Industry
Post-Secondary
Services
Government Relations, Marketing & Communications, Strategic Communications, Stakeholder Engagement
$43M
Secured in Budget 2024 for planning and design over three years
Campaign
To mobilize support and influence decision-makers
Building Alberta’s Future Workforce
Canadian Strategy Group partnered with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to design and execute a focused public affairs campaign supporting the Advanced Skills Centre – a 640,000 square foot facility to modernize and expand Alberta’s skilled trades training capacity. Our work helped NAIT secure planning and design funds in Budgets 2024 and 2025. With advocacy ongoing, NAIT continues to reinforce the project’s importance and momentum with government and stakeholders as it moves toward construction.
Challenge
Training That Meets the Moment
Alberta’s growing skilled trades shortages pose a risk to the province’s future infrastructure and economic development. NAIT’s Advanced Skills Centre responds directly to this challenge, offering a long-term solution to equip students with the skills needed in high-demand trades. But to bring the project to life, NAIT needed more than a strong vision—it needed a strategy to align that vision with government priorities and economic momentum.
Approach
Making the Case for Alberta’s Future Workforce
Canadian Strategy Group led a comprehensive public affairs campaign to support NAIT’s efforts to secure government investment for the Advanced Skills Centre. By aligning institutional priorities with provincial goals and working with internal teams, we helped build a compelling case for the Centre as essential for Alberta’s long-term economic success. Our work included:
- Positioning NAIT as a leader in delivering the skilled trades workforce Alberta needs now and in the future, leveraging the institution’s legacy of success to reinforce its vision.
- Narrative development to frame the Advanced Skills Centre as a timely, industry-driven solution to a growing labour market challenge.
- Government relations and advocacy focused on strategic engagement and alignment with provincial priorities.
- Coordinated public affairs campaigns that integrated earned, owned, and paid media to build public support and political momentum.
Outcome
Investment in NAIT's Vision
The Government of Alberta committed $43 million in Budget 2024 toward planning and designing the Advanced Skills Centre.
NAIT has made significant progress and continues to engage with government to ensure ongoing support.
NAIT remains focused on delivering the skills Alberta’s economy needs today—and well into the future—by working closely with industry, community, and government partners to bring the Advanced Skills Centre to life.
“Canadian Strategy Group played a vital role in helping us clearly demonstrate the need for the Advanced Skills Centre. Their strategic guidance helped us align our vision with government priorities and make a compelling case for why Alberta’s future workforce depends on this investment.”
Laura Jo Gunter
President & CEO, NAIT