Senior Apprenticeship Education Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Advanced Education has an exciting opportunity and is looking for a Senior Apprenticeship Education Advisor to join our team!

Reporting to the Manager, Apprenticeship Education and Partnerships, this position provides analysis, coordination, research, and operational leadership to support the delivery of apprenticeship education across Alberta. The Senior Apprenticeship Education Advisor produces and presents recommendations that inform and shape the coordination and delivery of apprenticeship classroom instruction. This role works collaboratively with post-secondary institutions, private career colleges, union training centers, and internal stakeholders to strengthen quality assurance, forecast apprenticeship education demand, and support evidence-based decision-making. The position plays a key role in advancing system-wide approaches, addressing emerging issues, and providing strategic advice that informs policy, funding, and effective program delivery in alignment with ministry priorities and legislative requirements.

Responsibilities Include:

• Provide expert research, analysis, and evidence-based recommendations to inform apprenticeship education policy, strategy, and system improvements.
• Analyze requests for additional apprenticeship classroom instruction funding from education institutions, developing recommendations and supporting the development of grant agreements and contracts.
• Collaborate with public, private, and union-based apprenticeship education institutions to support quality standards, capacity planning, and system alignment.
• Forecast apprenticeship education demand, enrolment trends, and seat capacity to inform funding decisions and long-term system sustainability.
• Analyze complex data sets and labour market trends to assess risks, identify gaps, and recommend solutions that support Alberta’s skilled trades workforce needs.
• Lead and participate in committees and working groups to resolve quality, capacity, and operational issues affecting apprenticeship education delivery.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, tools, and guidance materials to support institutions in adopting new funding, forecasting, and delivery approaches.
• Support procurement, grant, and contract development and management related to apprenticeship education class delivery.
• Prepare briefings, action requests, reports, and presentations for senior leadership to support decision-making.
• Monitor institutional performance against quality measures and prepare consolidated and institution-specific reporting on outcomes and progress.
• Provide strategic advice, coaching, and guidance to branch staff, contributing to priority setting and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support unit and ministry objectives through project leadership, budget analysis, and proactive identification and management of emerging issues.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

• Build Collaborative Environments: Builds and sustains strong, respectful partnerships with apprenticeship education institutions, internal ministry partners, and external stakeholders to collaboratively resolve quality, capacity, and operational issues across the apprenticeship education system.
  
  
• Systems Thinking: Applies a systems-level perspective to understand interdependencies across apprenticeship education, labour market demand, institutional capacity, funding models, and policy frameworks, ensuring recommendations balance provincial priorities with institution-level impacts.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving: Gathers insights, data, and stakeholder perspectives to identify root causes and develop effective, innovative solutions for complex program development challenges. Applies analytical thinking to shape practical approaches in environments with limited precedent and evolving strategic needs.
  
  
• Agility: Adapts plans, timelines, and strategies quickly in response to shifting priorities while maintaining momentum on high‑profile projects. Anticipates obstacles, communicates changes clearly, and makes informed decisions in uncertain or ambiguous situations.
  
  
• Drive for Results: Delivers high-quality analysis, forecasts, and recommendations that directly inform funding decisions, system planning, and executive decision-making, ensuring apprenticeship education programs are responsive, sustainable, and aligned with Alberta’s workforce needs.
  
  
• Develop Self and Others: Provides guidance, coaching, and knowledge-sharing to branch staff, contributing to professional development, continuous improvement, and the achievement of unit and ministry objectives.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience in a related field such as business, economics, public policy, public administration or Education or Equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Required Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge:

• Critical thinking skills and strong analytical, evaluation, and research skills to support evidence-based policy, program, or system-level decision-making.
• Strong ability to analyze complex data, identify trends, and develop forecasts to inform planning, funding, or capacity decisions.
• Systems thinking and strategic thinking abilities to identify issues and opportunities and assess impacts, risks and feasibility.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing briefings, reports, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, and operational guidelines to provide sound, compliant advice.
• Strong systems thinking, organizational, and project management skills to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Assets:

• Knowledge of apprenticeship education or other post-secondary education systems.
• Experience with enrolment forecasting, capacity planning, or funding allocation models.
• Experience developing or implementing quality assurance or continuous improvement frameworks.
• Understanding of labour market trends and economic factors impacting workforce development.
• Experience supporting procurement, grants, or contract management processes.
• Experience providing coaching, facilitation, or functional guidance to professional staff.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is (1) permanent position located in Edmonton and works 36.25 hours per week, 8:15am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Applicants are required to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.