Calgary Economic Development has launched TalentED Greater Calgary, a new workforce initiative designed to help young people gain practical experience while helping local employers access emerging talent.
The program is focused on youth aged 18 to 24 with a high school diploma and connects them with work-based learning opportunities across Calgary and the broader metropolitan region. Those opportunities can include placements, projects, and other hands-on experiences that help young people build job-ready skills while contributing to real business needs.
Backed by a $3 million investment from the Government of Alberta and a $250,000 gift from RBC, TalentED Greater Calgary aims to create 2,000 industry placements and projects for youth by 2027.
For Calgary employers, the program is designed to reduce the time and capacity barriers that often prevent small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and non-profits from creating early-career opportunities.
TalentED offers one-on-one employer consultations to help organizations assess workforce needs, identify potential placements or projects, and explore available funding and wage subsidy programs.
The initiative also includes an AI training component. In partnership with Skills for Change, TalentED offers in-person and virtual training sessions designed to help them integrate AI into everyday operations. Youth participants will also gain exposure to digital skills that are becoming increasingly important across industries.
Another key feature is an AI-enabled skills-matching platform that connects employers and youth based on skills alignment rather than experience alone. That approach is intended to help young people demonstrate what they can contribute, even if they do not yet have an extensive work history.
TalentED Greater Calgary builds on TalentED YYC, a pilot project that connected students and employers through work-integrated learning. According to Calgary Economic Development, that pilot generated an estimated $16 million in economic impact.
The new program comes as Calgary continues to experience strong labour market conditions while young workers face heightened competition for entry-level roles. By helping employers turn business needs into clearly scoped work-based learning opportunities, TalentED is positioned as both an initiative that increases youth employability and a talent pipeline strategy for the region.
For employers, the program offers a way to bring fresh perspectives into their organizations while supporting Calgary’s next generation of workers. For youth, it creates access to practical experience, professional references, and skills that can help turn a first opportunity into a longer-term career path.
Businesses, startups, and non-profits interested in participating can connect with the TalentED Greater Calgary team through the program’s website.
Leave a Reply