Your Weekly Tune Up

Boosting career education opportunities in schools

Alberta's government is expanding dual credit programming for students to explore career paths and make meaningful transitions into post-secondary education, trade designations or the workplace. Dual credit courses are career-based courses in grades 10, 11 and 12, where students can earn both high school credits and credits that count toward a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. Forty-seven school authorities across Alberta will receive a grant for the 2023-24 school year to create new dual credit opportunities and/or to enhance existing dual credit courses.

When we reached out to the Medicine Hat Public School Division to see what this means for our school district, Superintendent Mark Davidson stated, "we have doubled our resourcing of staff dedicated to building dual credit opportunities with post-secondary

institutions across the province. We are working with Careers the Next Generation and other partners to build partnerships aimed an increasing apprenticeship opportunity in our community. Recently, we reached out to Prairie Rose, the Medicine Hat Catholic School District and Grasslands to examine the possibility of creating a Collegiate School in our region. Our hope is to submit Proof of Concept by 15 January 2024."

For Prairie Rose Public School Division, Boyd Craven, Assistant Superintendent highlighted, "Prairie Rose is always seeking new ways for students to experience hands-on learning opportunities leading to career pathways. We are currently training pilots and other aviation specific jobs through our partnership with Super T Aviation in a South Alberta Flight Academy.

We have also partnered with Bow Island and Cypress County Fire Departments to create our latest academy offering South Alberta Fire & Rescue to train students to become certified firefighters.

Last year we partnered with Medicine Hat College to offer a revamped dual credit opportunity around Health Care Aid.

Prairie Rose has added "Student Experience Designers" to our team, with goals of continuing to explore dual credit career pathways and other work-integrated learning models through a trades-based partnership with post secondary institutions as well as local businesses.

The secondment of a school-division-based CAREERS engagement facilitator has also been helpful in strengthening the relationship between Prairie Rose and CAREERS to help match students with their passions through career-based internships and Registered Apprenticeship Placements.

We recognize experiential learning adds relevance and purpose for our students while simultaneously preparing for the high demand in skilled labour that our province will face in the upcoming years.

I know that all systems in the region will seek to leverage these, and any other resources, to enhance opportunities for youth."

Crime map shows visual, location-based crime data in Medicine Hat

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and City of Medicine Hat (CMH) announce the return of the crime map, an interactive community safety tool that displays calls for service throughout the community. The map refreshes every 24 hours and displays data for the previous six-month period. To protect the privacy of individuals, calls are aggregated and pinned to cross street locations rather than specific addresses and are categorized according to the Uniform Crime Reporting standards.

The map is viewable on both the MHPS and CMH websites. Visit mhps.ca and click on the Crime Map link located under the Quick Links menu or download the MHPS mobile app, which is free and available for both Apple and android devices. Alternately, click the crime map button at medicinehat.ca/maps.

Labour Market Information

Unemployment rate by region for September 2023:

The provincial unemployment rate for September 2023 is 5.7%, slightly higher than the national rate of 5.5%.

Alberta's employment rate and participation rate decreased slightly from the previous month to 64.5% and 68.4%, respectively.

Employment losses were highest in construction and manufacturing overwhelming the gain in the forestry, fishing, mining, oil, and gas sectors.

In September, 2023, the number of job postings in Alberta fell by 5.5% (-2,204 postings) from August 2023 and are down 0.9% (-365 postings) from September 2022.

The largest decrease in demand ranged from 5.6 per cent (business, finance and administration occupations) to 24.6 per cent (occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport).

Over the past month, the largest gains in job postings were attributed to the following occupations: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (+162), food service supervisors (+91), transport truck drivers (+76), paramedical occupations (+56) and university professors and lecturers (+47).

Labour Market Notes, October 2023 - Labour Market Notes (alberta.ca)

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Alberta Medical Association (AMA) and Government of Alberta Sign MOU

The Government of Alberta and the AMA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on actions to better support physicians practising comprehensive primary health care. Comprehensive primary health care refers to a patient with regular access to primary care providers who ensure all their health care needs are met. Find out more.

Advocacy in Action

Inside the Canadian Chamber 2023 AGM & Convention

October 12th - 14th we gathered in Calgary for our national AGM & Convention, together with delegates from across the country to vote on policy resolutions, hear from thought leaders and have a little fun.

Check out key highlights, takeaways and the summary here.

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Next Level Events

Over 40% booths sold, book today! 2024 Home + Leisure Tradeshow

Each year the Chamber invests time and resources into creating a quality trade show for our community, and we are proud to host not only the longest-running, but the largest trade show in Medicine Hat. With thousands of consumers visiting the shows over the course of three days these trade shows give an incredible opportunity to gain exposure for your business, demonstrate and sell products, and showcase your services.

With over 40% of the booths sold, don't miss out on securing your space! Register now

Hurry, registration closes tomorrow! Cypress County AG Connections Conference

Farmers and ranchers of Alberta, we understand the unique challenges you face every day. From unpredictable weather to market fluctuations, you're at the frontlines of our food production, and we salute your resilience. The Ag Connections Conference Presented by MNP will be a day of learning, connection, and empowerment.

Together, we can face the challenges and shape the future of agriculture in Alberta. Register now at www.cypresscountybusiness.ca to claim your spot.

Member Exclusive Night! Toptracer Thursday at Paradise Valley

Come join us at Paradise Valley Course from 6-8pm on November 2nd for your member exclusive access to The Golfuture Range powered by Toptracer. Experience an unparalleled golf entertainment experience amidst the stunning creekside and coulee views.

The Golfuture Range at Paradise Valley is a outdoor technology-enhanced driving range with 8 smart bays and a synthetic putting green. With lights, music, televisions, food, drinks, Toptracer Range technology and target games this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some November golf and network with fellow Chamber members.

FREE registration and more information here.

2024 Jazzfest

Are you looking for a way to support your community and get your name in front of the crowd at the same time? The Medicine Hat JazzFest is a community run, community supported festival that is all about bringing people together, dancing, relaxing and celebrating our great city. Jazzfest is well established, in its 28^th year, with a solid reputation for bringing world-class artists to interesting and unique venues throughout our city and offering a variety of free and ticketed events aimed at a broad spectrum of our community. And you don't have to be a jazz fan to be a fan of JazzFest!

By becoming a sponsor or donor, you are going a long ways to helping bring this festival to a smaller community. You will be featured in our 110,000 brochures that go into every home in

SE Alberta and SW Saskatchewan, on our website, and at our events. Many of our sponsor tiers provide you with event tickets and t-shirts for you to enjoy, or even pass on to your clients. And speaking of clients, JazzFest is well set up for a company client appreciation event. We can offer you discounts on bulk ticket purchases and help you set up a wine and cheese and even arrange for your clients to meet the featured artist. And you can make it as classy or relaxed as you like.

JazzFest would not exist without the support of our community. Consider joining the team that brings this festival to our corner of the province. Download our sponsor/donor package here: https://medicinehatjazzfest.com/sponsor/ or email info@medicinehatjazzfest.com with any questions.

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Enriching Your Business

There's a reason Chambers Plan is Canada's #1 plan.

Contact JoAnne Letkeman,
Exclusive Chamber Group Advisor,
403-504-2166 ext 1.

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Fueling the Business Community

• NEW MEMBERS •

We would like to welcome Society of Grasslands Naturalists and ExecRN to the Chamber Family!

We continually look forward to helping our members during their business journey and wish each the best in all future endeavors. We are extremely happy to have such amazing members, and are very glad that we can serve a part in that journey! Keep your eye out for more new member posts moving forward!

JoAnne Letkeman Earns National Recognition

Our Exclusive Chambers Group Insurance Plan Advisor, JoAnne Letkeman was recognized as a leading representative of Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan® at the program's national conference in Banff this past September. The top 100 Chambers Plan representatives from across the country were honoured at the event for experts who met stringent qualifying criteria. JoAnne Letkeman has been in the financial services industry for over 15 years. Nationally, Chambers Plan provides employee benefits programs to more than 30,000 small- and medium-sized businesses that are members of 800 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade that endorse the program. The Plan was introduced over 50 years ago to make group benefits available to smaller firms. Today the program offers competitive rates, outstanding guarantees, and many free, value-added features for participants, including Teladoc Medical Experts® diagnostic support services, and Business Assistance Service, providing business owners access to accounting, legal and human resource experts. Chambers Plan is the largest employee benefits program of its kind in the country, providing tangible benefits to members of participating Chambers and Boards. From the National Service Centre, located in Winnipeg, Chambers Plan is administered by Johnston Group Inc., recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies every year since 2001. Join us in congratulating JoAnne on this prestigious award!

Happy Retirement Hannas Brothers Construction Ltd.

Lloyd and Debbie Hanna, with Hanna Brothers Constructions Ltd., have been Chamber members with a benefit plan since May 1, 1987. That's 36 years! We thank them for their investment into the community and wish them a happy retirement. Thank you Lloyd and Debbie!

Take a look at how the Chamber's Benefits plan could be the perfect fit for you here!

Fill Up On Funding

Funding Futures $10,000 for Your Business

Funding Futures is a new pilot initiative from connectFirst Credit Union that will help unlock potential for small business in Alberta to have access to the capital needed to support innovative frameworks. With three areas of focus for the initiative - Agri-Tech, Energy Transition and Social Impact - each sector will see $10,000 ($30,000 in total) awarded to a small business that is helping drive innovation and impact in our local communities.

Key qualifications to apply:

Be an Alberta based business (anywhere in Alberta).

Have 4-20 employees.

Make an annual revenue between $250,000 and $3,000,000.

Describe how the funding would help drive an existing or new initiative focused on either Agri-Tech, Energy Transition or Social Impact for our community.

Apply before November 19. It's a simple application with a few short questions about the business.

Additional $9 million over the next three years through NRED

The Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED) program was created in 2022 to help attract job-creating investment and support economic growth and diversification across Alberta. Eligible projects can receive funding of up to $200,000 to help deliver business supports, increase labour force attraction and retention, enhance tourism and build capacity for economic growth. A new intake is now open for the NRED program and applications will be accepted until Dec. 20. Find out more.

Drought relief support for livestock producers now open

The governments of Alberta and Canada are providing $165 million to support livestock producers affected by drought and extreme growing conditions. Funding for this joint AgriRecovery initiative is cost-shared through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), with the federal government providing $99 million and Alberta's government providing $66 million. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) will administer the program.

Sustainable CAP is a five-year program, beginning this year, and includes a $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products

sector. This investment includes $1 billion in federal programs and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs funded 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially-territorially. Livestock producers who altered their usual grazing practices due to drought conditions for more than 21 days this season can apply for financial support to cover losses incurred to manage and maintain female breeding animals such as cattle, bison, horses, elk, sheep, goats, alpacas, yak, musk ox, deer, water buffalo and llamas. A minimum of 15 animals per type of livestock are required to qualify. Benefits will be based on a feed-need calculation for feed costs incurred from lost grazing days for eligible breeding animals on hand as of Dec. 31, 2023. Eligible producers could access up to $150 per head to help maintain the breeding herd in drought regions. The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2024 and extraordinary costs can be incurred until March 31, 2024. Read more.

Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation Micro-Grants | Due November 12

Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation is thrilled to offer eleven micro-grants of $5000 each ($55,000 total in micro-grants!) for their Fall 2023 Micro-grant series, presented in partnership with UPS. The IEF Micro-grants aim to support Canadian entrepreneurs and small business owners in surmounting financial challenges and fostering business growth. The deadline to apply is November 12 at 11:59 pm. Apply now

New funding to help businesses reduce energy costs

Funded by Alberta's Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction system, Emissions Reduction Alberta's Emerging Innovators Challenge will help fund scale-up, pilot and first-of-kind emissions-reduction projects. The $40 million will help support new ideas and innovations that have not been commercialized before in everything from energy efficiency and heating to digital solutions and reducing methane emissions - and a whole lot more. These projects will help businesses reduce costs, increase efficiency and stay competitive. Find out more

Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle Answers

Did you figure it out? Here are the answers for the October 23rd crossword puzzle.

Remember that if you subscribe to our weekly email, you get access to the crossword puzzle! Anyone who sends us their answers will get their name put into our quarterly draw. The prize? Receive 5 promotional credits with us (for members) or credit towards a membership (for non-members)! Oh and bragging rights that you're a crossword master!

First draw coming up in November! Get your answers in for the chance to win.