Keyano College is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to join our team as Dean, School of Trades.
Reporting to the Vice President, Academic & Student Experience, the Dean provides strategic, academic, operational, and financial leadership for one of the College’s cornerstone Schools. The School of Trades plays a critical role in supporting the economic strength of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and beyond by delivering high quality apprenticeship, trades, occupational certification, industry training, and workforce development programs. This includes strengthening pathways into the trades through expanded collaboration with local high schools, including the development and growth of dual-credit and pre-apprenticeship programming that introduces students to skilled trades careers while completing their secondary education.
As a member of the College’s senior leadership team, the Dean is responsible for advancing the strategic direction of the School while ensuring alignment with Keyano College’s Academic Plan, institutional priorities, industry expectations, and the evolving needs of learners, employers, and the communities we serve.
A key focus of this role is providing leadership and oversight for apprenticeship programming, including maintaining a strong partnership with Alberta Industry Training (AIT) to support the progression of apprentices through the provincial apprenticeship system. The Dean ensures programming aligns with regulatory requirements, industry standards, labour market trends, and current and emerging workforce needs. This includes working in close partnership with industry and Alberta Industry Training (AIT) to respond to labour market pressures by addressing capacity constraints in high-demand trades and advancing new program development that supports critical workforce gaps in the region.
The successful candidate will be a relationship-focused leader who understands the importance of collaboration with industry, government, Indigenous communities, and community partners to expand access to training, create pathways to employment, and support the continued growth of skilled trades education in Northern Alberta.
Please note: This is an on-campus leadership opportunity based in Fort McMurray, Alberta. The successful candidate will be required to relocate to the region.
Keyano College is a comprehensive post-secondary institution located in Fort McMurray, Alberta, on traditional Treaty 8 territory. We are proud to serve as a key community partner, supporting educational pathways, workforce development, industry training, and lifelong learning opportunities throughout the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Our connection to community and industry is central to who we are. Through strong partnerships and responsive programming, we prepare students and apprentices for meaningful careers while supporting the talent and training needs of the region.
At Keyano College, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming work and learning environment where diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthen our College community.
The Dean, School of Trades provides strategic leadership and overall management of academic programming, apprenticeship training, operations, people, partnerships, and financial resources.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Providing strategic direction for the School of Trades, including academic planning, enrolment growth, program sustainability, and continuous improvement initiatives, with a focus on aligning training capacity with industry demand, reducing waitlists in high-demand trades, and launching new programming to address current and emerging workforce gaps.
- Leading apprenticeship programming and maintaining strong collaboration with Alberta Industry Training (AIT), industry partners, and regulatory bodies to support apprentice progression, address seat capacity pressures and waitlists in high-demand trades, and identify and implement opportunities for new or expanded programming aligned with emerging workforce needs.
- Supporting teaching innovation, teaching quality, accreditation, and the development of responsive training opportunities aligned with labour market needs.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with industry, government, Indigenous communities, employers, and external organizations to enhance access to trades education and employment pathways.
- Partnering with regional school divisions and secondary schools to expand dual-credit, pre-apprenticeship, and early exposure trades programming, creating clear and accessible pathways from high school into apprenticeship and post-secondary training.
- Providing leadership, mentorship, and support to faculty, staff, Chairs, and School leadership while fostering a respectful, collaborative, and high-performing workplace culture.
- Overseeing the School’s operational and financial performance, including budget development, resource planning, workforce planning, and fiscal accountability.
- Promoting excellence in teaching and learning while ensuring students and apprentices receive a high-quality educational experience.
- Championing workplace health and safety practices within trades learning environments, shops, labs, and training facilities.
- Representing the institution through external partnerships, industry engagement, and community initiatives that support the growth and reputation of the School and College.
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of trades expertise, leadership experience, operational knowledge, and a passion for developing people and communities.
Qualifications include:
- Red Seal Journeyperson certification aligned with a program offered within the School of Trades.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is considered an asset.
- Minimum five (5) years of senior leadership experience, including demonstrated success supervising teams, managing budgets, developing strategic and operational plans, and leading organizational change.
- Experience within apprenticeship education, industry training, skilled trades, or a related environment is required.
- Strong understanding of Alberta’s apprenticeship system, including experience collaborating with Alberta Industry Training (AIT), industry partners, employers, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Knowledge of apprenticeship pathways, technical training requirements, workforce development, and labour market trends.
- Experience working within Northern, rural, or resource-based communities is considered a strong asset.
- Demonstrated ability to build meaningful partnerships with employers, Indigenous communities, industry associations, government, and community organizations.
An equivalent combination of education, trade certification, and experience acceptable to the College may also be considered.
What You Bring
You are a strategic and people-focused leader who values collaboration, innovation, and service excellence. You are passionate about skilled trades education and understand the important role trades professionals play in supporting communities and industry.
You demonstrate:
- Strong communication skills with the ability to build trust and positive relationships.
- A collaborative leadership style focused on coaching, mentorship, accountability, and team development.
- Experience leading change and supporting teams through growth and transformation.
- Strong financial and operational decision-making skills.
- Ability to balance academic excellence, industry expectations, and organizational sustainability.
- Commitment to safety, inclusion, and creating an environment where employees and students can thrive.
We offer a competitive total compensation package including:
- Comprehensive employer-paid health and dental benefits, including a health spending account.
- Participation in the Local Authorities Pension Plan (LAPP), one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, beginning on your first day of employment.
- Northern Living Allowance of $1,040 per month (reviewed annually and subject to budget approval).
- Generous vacation entitlement and paid holiday closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
- Life insurance coverage of 2.5 times your annual salary.
- Paid sick leave
- Discounted membership at the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre.
- Tuition waiver opportunities for employees and eligible dependents.
- Employee recognition programs.
- Discounts for Keyano Theatre, Keynotes Bookstore, travel, insurance, and other services.
At Keyano College, we are committed to fostering an equitable, caring, and resilient environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and connected to our shared purpose. We welcome applications from qualified individuals who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas that contribute to the strength of our College community.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected to continue through the recruitment process will be contacted.
