Trade Winds to Success Training Society

What Trade Winds to Success Training Society does

Trade Winds to Success Training Society is a registered charity and Indigenous-led non-profit founded in 2005 and headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. The organization delivers tuition-free pre-apprenticeship trades training exclusively to Indigenous individuals (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) aged 18 and older across Alberta, offering programs in Carpentry, Electrician, Sheet Metal, Welding, Pipe Trades, Millwright, and Ironwork. Its core curriculum integrates the Eco-Smart Homes model, in which students construct net-zero, high-efficiency small homes inside an indoor Edmonton facility that are then transported to Indigenous communities across the province, addressing both skills training and housing need simultaneously. Wraparound services include financial supports, tools, PPE, safety tickets, a three-week Career Skills Development component, an Apprenticeship Retention Officer for post-hire employer support, and trauma/addictions counselling partnerships (e.g., Eagle Healing Lodge).

The organization operates a hybrid delivery model: a main Edmonton training facility plus an Outreach Program delivering the same carpentry curriculum directly into partner First Nations and Métis Settlements (Fishing Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth Métis Settlements, Chipewyan Prairie, Bighorn 144A). Programs are delivered in partnership with training colleges (EITCA, AICCC, Alberta Pipe Trades College, CLAC Career Development College), Indigenous training societies (Oteenow, Aboriginal Futures, Community Futures Treaty 7), and unions (UA Local 488, UBC Millwright Local 1460). Graduate employment rate reached 61% as of recent reporting, up from 31% prior to the 2019 Career Skills Development addition, with graduates placed at 13+ named employer partners including Ledcor, Bird Construction, Jardeg, Delnor, SkyFire Energy, Stanley Construction, Carvel Electric, and PME.

Revenue is generated entirely through grants and charitable giving rather than tuition: a $5M federal Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy grant (Jan 2025), $1.5M provincial Government of Alberta grant (Dec 2024), $600K TD Bank Group corporate donation (Feb 2025), $3.2M federal Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities Program grant (Sep 2025), plus historical sponsorships from ConocoPhillips, Enbridge, Shell Canada, TC Energy, Dow Canada, and individual donations via CanadaHelps and Zeffy. Since founding, the organization has supported more than 3,000 Indigenous students across 10+ construction trades, and in November 2025 celebrated its 20th anniversary with a province-wide gala.

Name

Trade Winds to Success Training Society

Legal name

Trade Winds to Success Training Society

Website

https://tradewindstosuccess.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Trade Winds to Success Training Society is an Indigenous-led registered charity founded in 2005 in Edmonton, Alberta, providing tuition-free pre-apprenticeship trades training (Carpentry, Electrical, Welding, Sheet Metal, Millwright, Pipe Trades) to Indigenous adults province-wide, with wraparound supports and employer placement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Registered charity accepting tax-deductible cash donations from individuals via CanadaHelps and Zeffy. Designated funds include Student Emergency Fund, Healthy Snack Program, Graduation Fund, and general materials/equipment support.
2. Federal Government Grants: Funding from Government of Canada, including $5 million over five years (Towards Net Zero Residential Construction project, Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy) announced Jan 29, 2025; $3.2 million through Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities Program (Sept 11, 2025).
3. Provincial Government Grants: $1.5 million over three years from Government of Alberta (Ministry of Advanced Education), announced December 6, 2024, to support operational costs and pre-trades training opportunities.
4. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate donations and sponsorships, e.g., TD Bank Group $600,000 over two years (Feb 7, 2025) for Residential Construction Outreach Program; TC Energy, UA Local 488, Building Trades of Alberta, UBC Millwright Local 1460, Chemco, Dow as Gala sponsors.
5. Cost-Recovery Outreach Programming: Residential Construction Program offered in Southern Alberta communities on a cost-recovery basis following the closure of the Calgary office.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Trade Winds to Success Training Society delivers tuition-free pre-apprenticeship trades training programs to Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) individuals in Alberta, covering residential construction, commercial and industrial trades, sheet metal, and pre-trades electrician pathways. The Society also provides wraparound employment support services and partners with Indigenous communities and Alberta construction employers to place graduates into apprenticeships and long-term trades careers.

Product overview

Trade Winds to Success Training Society operates a unified pre-apprenticeship training program rather than a multi-product software platform: a single mission-driven training offering composed of interlocking program modules delivered across Alberta. The core Residential Construction Program anchors the offering and is delivered in two formats — the main Edmonton Residential Construction (Carpentry) Program and the Outreach Program that brings the same curriculum into partner First Nation and Métis communities. Both formats share the Eco-Smart Homes Curriculum, where students build high-efficiency net-zero small homes that are then gifted to Indigenous communities across Alberta. Layered on top of this core are specialized trade streams forming the Commercial & Industrial Trades Program, including a Pre-Trades Electrician Training Program (delivered in Edmonton, Calgary/Treaty 7, and as women-focused cohorts with partners such as EITCA, Aboriginal Futures, Oteenow, and Dow Canada), the Sheet Metal Training Program, and historical streams in pipe trades, welding, industrial mechanics (millwright), ironwork, plumbing, and steamfitting. The Women in Trades Initiative packages dedicated women's cohorts across these streams — including a Women's Finishing Carpentry Program and the Women's Pre-Trades Electrician Program — supported by the Somerville Indigenous Trades Apprentice Awards. All participants receive wraparound Employment Support Services including a three-week Career Skills Development component and ongoing Apprenticeship Retention Officer engagement that continues after graduation. The See the Skill. Not Bias. Campaign complements the training portfolio as an awareness initiative addressing bias in hiring of Indigenous tradespeople. Together these modules form a single integrated pathway from Indigenous pre-trades training through apprenticeship entry and long-term employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Construction Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduate employment rate increased from 31% to 61% after 2019 introduction of Career Skills Development component
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Chipewyan Prairie First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 August 2026Outreach partner for Residential Construction Program; training August 4 - November 20, 2026 for community members.
• Bighorn 144A of the Stoney Nakoda First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Outreach partner for Residential Construction Program; training April 27, 2026 onward for community members.
• East Prairie Métis SettlementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 August 2025Outreach partner for Residential Construction Program; training August 11 - November 21, 2025. Tuition-free with supplies and PPE provided.
• Fishing Lake Métis Settlement and Elizabeth Métis SettlementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2025Outreach partner for Residential Construction Program; training May 26 - September 5, 2025 in Fishing Lake. Tuition-free program.
• Robert B. Somerville (R.B. Somerville)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Established the Somerville Indigenous Trades Apprentice Award in partnership with Trade Winds to Success in 2020 to support Indigenous Peoples' pursuit of careers in infrastructure construction. Awards distributed in Spring & Winter rounds; special consideration for pipe trades, welding, heavy equipment technician.
• TC EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Gala on November 22, 2025. Supports Trade Winds province-wide initiative.
• UA Local 488flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatering Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Gala. Strategic union partner that helps Trade Winds graduates secure pipefitter/plumber/steamfitter apprenticeships. Ramona Soosay, Lisa Fitzsimmons, and Ladaria Scott all credited UA Local 488 partnerships.
• Building Trades of AlbertacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmcee and Special Entertainment Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Gala. Industry umbrella organization supporting trades training.
• UBC Millwright Local 1460coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural Entertainment Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Gala. Union partner supporting millwright training pathway.
• ChemcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerName Badge Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Gala.
• Dow (Dow Canada)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMocktail Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Gala. Strategic program partner for the Women's Pre-Trades Electrical Program starting September 2026, in partnership with the Electrical Industry Training Centres of Alberta. Provides tuition-free pre-trades electrician training for Indigenous women.
• Electrical Industry Training Centres of Alberta (EITCA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-delivery partner for multiple electrical programs including the Women's Pre-Trades Electrical Program (Dow partnership) and Calgary Pre-trades Electrician Training Program. Provides apprentices with technical training support.
• Aboriginal Futures Career & Training CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-delivery partner for Calgary Pre-trades Electrician Training Program for First Nations people in Calgary and Treaty 7 Nations. Program runs September 15 - December 19, 2025.
• Community Futures Treaty 7coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-delivery partner for Calgary Pre-trades Electrician Training Program for First Nations people in Calgary and Treaty 7 Nations.
• Oteenow Employment & Training SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-delivery partner for Women's Pre-Trades Electrician Program in Edmonton, AB (September 29, 2025 - January 16, 2026), providing tuition-free pre-trades electrician training to First Nations women.
• Red Flame IndustriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous contributor to the success and empowerment of First Nations women in the Women's Finishing Carpentry Program; presented scholarships to Hillary Minde, Tiara Arcand, and Keyanna Soosay.
• Canadian Apprenticeship ForumminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContributed to scholarships in Women's Finishing Carpentry Program; awarded to Hillary Minde, Tiara Arcand, and Keyanna Soosay.
• Lance Cardinal (Cree Artist)coreOthersNationally recognized Cree artist who collaborated with Trade Winds students on an eco-smart small home project unveiled on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21, 2024), honouring Mary Collins and celebrating Métis culture. Also served as emcee of the 20th Anniversary Gala.
• Not Your Average JocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPR agency partner handling media inquiries and communications. Contact: Jo Williams, 403-827-9820, [email protected]. LinkedIn in Trade Winds website footer.
• IBEW Training CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-delivery partner for pre-trades electrical program providing Union training; supported graduates like Melissa McDonald in their apprenticeship pathway.
• Eagle Healing LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrauma and addictions support partner; provided counselling and workshop support during Trade Winds programs for graduates like Melissa McDonald, Tiffany Wapass, Shinea Small.
• Rupertsland InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnected Lisa Fitzsimmons (Métis) to Trade Winds program; co-supports Métis students pursuing trades careers.
• Alberta Pipe Trades CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelped Ladaria Scott collect safety tickets during her welder pre-apprenticeship program.
• AICCC (Alberta Indigenous Construction Career Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelped Ladaria Scott collect safety tickets during her welder pre-apprenticeship program.
• CLAC Career Development CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported Tiffany Wapass's welding training and apprenticeship pathway; co-supports Trade Winds students.
• John D'Or Prairie First NationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Trade Winds' first all-women cohort in 2020-21; students built a tiny home for their community during pandemic.
• OCTO MechanicalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading millwright and on-site machining service in Alberta; employer partner hiring Trade Winds graduates. Andrés Limon Falcon is Managing Partner and Trade Winds Employer Partner & Supporter.
• Bird ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading Canadian general contractor; Edmonton office focuses on industrial, mechanical fabrication, and commercial projects in western Canada. Trade Winds employer partner.
• Stanley ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBuilds commercial and public buildings; Trade Winds employer partner with quote on partnership value in carpentry apprenticeship preparation.
• JardegcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperated by senior construction site superintendents, construction managers and administrative staff providing high level of service for complex construction projects. Trade Winds employer partner.
• Delnor ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor41 years of expert commercial construction services across Western Canada; executes more than $210M and 300+ projects annually; consistently ranks in Canada's Top 40 Contractors. Trade Winds employer partner.
• SkyFire EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployee-owned Certified B Corp and Western Canada's leading solar contractor; design and installation of residential and commercial photovoltaic systems. Trade Winds employer partner.
• Carvel ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMétis-owned electrical company based in Stony Plain, AB. CEO Jordan Jolicoeur states Trade Winds is "first stop for hiring apprentices." Hired Lonnie Machatis (now Lead Hand) who works on Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion and IPL Heartland project.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oteenow Employment & Training Society: Edmonton-based Indigenous employment and training organization delivering trades training. Direct peer serving overlapping Indigenous population in Alberta; co-delivery partner on Women's Pre-Trades Electrician Program.
• Native Education College (NEC): Indigenous-controlled post-secondary institution in British Columbia offering trades preparation and apprenticeship training. Closely comparable mission, business model (non-profit/charity), and target population.
• Rupertsland Institute: Métis Nation of Alberta's post-secondary and training organization. Direct peer in supporting Métis learners into trades and careers; co-supports Trade Winds graduates such as Lisa Fitzsimmons.
• Aboriginal Futures Career & Training Centre: Calgary-based Indigenous training society offering trades preparation programs. Direct peer; co-delivery partner for Calgary Pre-trades Electrician Training Program serving Treaty 7 Nations.
• Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT): Indigenous-led post-secondary institution offering trades and technical training across Saskatchewan. Directly comparable as an Indigenous-focused trades training provider with apprenticeship pathways, though serving a different province.

Others

• BuildForce Canada: National industry association addressing Canada's construction labor market needs. Adjacent peer as a source of labor demand forecasting (e.g., 42,000 Alberta retirement projection) and an industry-ecosystem participant rather than direct training competitor.

Regional players

• Electrical Industry Training Centres of Alberta (EITCA): Alberta-specific electrical apprenticeship training provider affiliated with IBEW Local 424. Comparable as specialized trade training partner; co-delivers multiple Trade Winds electrical programs.
• Alberta Pipe Trades College: Alberta specialized pipe trades training provider. Comparable in delivering technical training in pipefitting/plumbing/steamfitting; supported Trade Winds students like Ladaria Scott with safety tickets.

Broad incumbents

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT): Major Alberta polytechnic offering comprehensive trades and apprenticeship training. Broad incumbent with overlapping program offerings (carpentry, electrical, welding, millwright) but without Trade Winds' Indigenous-specific focus or wraparound model.
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT): Calgary-based polytechnic with extensive trades and pre-apprenticeship programs. Comparable as a major Alberta trades training provider but operates as a broad incumbent across many populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TradeWindstoSuccess
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trade-winds-to-success
• Instagraminstagram.com/tradewindstosuccess

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trade Winds to Success Training Society