Skills Exploration Days

Skills Exploration Days is a one-day, virtual event held in December 2026!

Registration opens May 13, 2026 at 3:30pm

The purpose of Skills Exploration Days is to:

• Inspire Junior High students to identify inherent skills and interests.
• Connect students’ skills and interests to trade and technology careers through interactive, hands-on experiences that promote creativity, empathy, and exploration.
• Promote trade and technology careers as a valuable and rewarding career choice. 

Building on the Maker Day model and Alberta Education’s Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) Program of Studies, students will be introduced to skilled trade and technology careers as they design, tinker and build!

How It Works!

Skills Exploration Days is hosted in the classroom but has an interactive digital live-streamed component to allow students to share their prototypes with peers across the province. The program is facilitated in three parts:  

• An in-classroom toolbox and Learn-A-Skill Kits provide students with skill development activities that allow them to test new trade and technology skills.  

• In their classrooms, students will work in teams using the Design Thinking process to address a real-world challenge.  

• Using the skills learned with the Learn-A-Skill Kits, students will come together for an interactive live-stream to build a prototype and share their finished projects. 

Unlike other SCA programs, at Skills Exploration Days, there are no winners or medals, just the freedom to explore, make mistakes and try again!

Toolboxes & Learn-A-Skill Kits

Registered schools will be provided with a toolbox that will include the tools and materials students will need to participate in Skills Exploration Days. Learn-A-Skill Kits are included to help students familiarize themselves with the tools and materials available for building their prototype. These toolboxes and materials will remain with the school to support the development and growth of your programs!

New this year, we are offering four different options for registration:

• New Toolbox-For schools that have never previously participated in Skills Exploration Days. This toolbox includes all tools and materials needed to participate in the program. Registration fee: $200

• Top-Up Toolbox-For schools that have previously participated and would like to “top-up” their tools and materials. This includes some basic tools, safety supplies, consumables such as saw blades, sheet metal, drill bits, plumbing fittings, sandpaper, etc., and printed resources. Registration fee: $100

• Build-Your-Own Top-Up-For schools that have previously participated and have ALMOST everything they need. A $200 gift card is supplied for teachers to top-up consumable materials at their discretion. All printed resources are included. Registration fee: $50

• No Toolbox Required-For schools that have previously participated and already have everything they need. Schools will not receive any tools or materials from Skills Alberta. All printed resources are included. Registration fee: FREE

How Do I Register?

Your school must be registered with Skills Canada Alberta to participate.

Registering as a Skills School is free of charge. Visit https://skillsalberta.com/resources/become-a-skills-school/  to create and submit your profile. Once registered, a username and password will be emailed to you.

Login to the registration portal using your username and password. Once logged in, select the “Skills Exploration Days” tab to register for your toolbox or add your school to the waitlist.