Alberta is Calling: $5,000 Moving Bonus for Skilled Tradespeople

Harikrishnan Nair RCIC
May 11
3 min read

Alberta’s skilled trades sector is booming—and the province is now offering a compelling incentive to attract qualified tradespeople. If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the trades, Alberta wants you. Through its “Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus” program, eligible workers can receive a $5,000 bonus to help offset their relocation costs. — **Alberta’s skilled trades sector is booming**—and the province is now offering a compelling incentive to attract qualified tradespeople. If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the trades, Alberta wants you. Through its *“Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus”* program, eligible workers can receive **a $5,000 bonus** to help offset their relocation costs.

What is the Alberta Moving Bonus?

The Alberta is Calling: Moving Bonus is a government initiative to encourage skilled tradespeople to settle and work in Alberta. The province recognizes the value trades professionals bring to its growing economy—and is investing in this talent by offering financial support for relocation.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the $5,000 Moving Bonus, you must meet all of the following criteria:

Be 18 years or older at the time of application
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Have moved to Alberta between May 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024
Be a resident of Alberta for at least 12 consecutive months at the time of application
Be a tax resident of Alberta on December 31, 2024
Have received your 2024 Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Be employed or self-employed in an eligible occupation listed under the program

Eligible Occupations

Applicants must be working in one of the following skilled trades (NOC 2016 Version 1.3):

#	Occupation	NOC Code
1	Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors	7315
2	Appliance servicers and repairers	7332
3	Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers	7321
4	Boilermakers	7234
5	Bricklayers	7281
6	Cabinetmakers	7272
7	Carpenters	7271
8	Concrete finishers	7282
9	Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics	7311
10	Construction trades helpers and labourers	7611
11	Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades	7204
12	Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations	7202
13	Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews	7302
14	Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades	7201
15	Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades	7301
16	Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services	8222
17	Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers	7205
18	Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades	7203
19	Crane operators	7371
20	Drafting technologists and technicians	2253
21	Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction	7372
22	Electrical mechanics	7333
23	Electrical power line and cable workers	7244
24	Electricians (except industrial and power system)	7241
25	Elevator constructors and mechanics	7318
26	Floor covering installers	7295
27	Gas fitters	7253
28	Glaziers	7292
29	Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics	7313
30	Heavy equipment operators (except crane)	7521
31	Heavy-duty equipment mechanics	7312
32	Industrial electricians	7242
33	Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics	2243
34	Insulators	7293
35	Ironworkers	7236
36	Machine fitters	7316
37	Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors	7231
38	Motor vehicle body repairers	7322
39	Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics	7334
40	Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers	8232
41	Oil and gas well drilling and related workers and services operators	8412
42	Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics	7331
43	Other repairers and servicers	7445
44	Other small engine and small equipment repairers	7335
45	Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)	7294
46	Other trades and related occupations, not elsewhere classified (n.e.c.)	7384
47	Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers	7284
48	Plumbers	7251
49	Power engineers and power systems operators	9241
50	Power system electricians	7243
51	Residential and commercial installers and servicers	7441
52	Roofers and shinglers	7291
53	Sheet metal workers	7233
54	Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers	7252
55	Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters	7235
56	Telecommunications installation and repair workers	7246
57	Tilesetters	7283
58	Tool and die makers	7232
59	Transport truck drivers	7511
60	Water well drillers	7373
61	Waterworks and gas maintenance workers	7442
62	Welders and related machine operators	7237

How to Apply

Step 1: Review the Guidelines Visit the Alberta Moving Bonus Guidelines to understand the documentation and application timeline.

Step 2: Create Your Alberta.ca Account You’ll need a verified Alberta.ca Account to complete your application online.

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents Use the Moving Bonus Required Information Checklist to prepare key documents like:

Employment Verification Form (for employed applicants)
Business registration and income proof (for self-employed applicants)

Step 4: Submit Your Application Online Log in to the Moving Bonus Application Portal and submit your complete application.

⚠️ Note: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The final deadline is March 15, 2026, at 4 PM MT, but the program may close earlier if funds run out.