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Try-A-Trade® Takeout

The winter season of Try-A-Trade® Takeout opens here on December 10th.

Try-A-Trade® Takeout Store – Sold out, restocking Dec 10th

About Try-A-Trade® Takeout

This year in partnership with various industry and education leaders, we are offering Try-A-Trade® Takeout! Each free Try-A-Trade® Takeout box includes tools, materials, and instructions for 30 students to create a take-home item representing one of a variety of trades. The Try-A-Trade® Takeout store is open three times per year for orders: Sept. 10, Dec. 10, Mar. 11. No prior signup is required.

Try-A-Trade® Takeout seeks to inspire students of all ages to identify new skills and interests through hands-on activities, and connect those skills and interests to valuable and rewarding trade and technology careers in Alberta. Sign up for our mailing list using the buttons above to hear about upcoming store launches. Email RowanH@skillsalberta.com with any program inquiries.

Making the Most of Try-A-Trade® Takeout

Try-A-Trade® Takeout activities help you fulfill educational components that are anticipated by the curriculum, and allow students to learn about new opportunities and skills while experiencing the trades in their own classroom. Trades are essential to our world: Electricians installed the lights in your classroom, carpenters framed the walls, masons laid the brickwork. Beyond construction, heavy equipment mechanics keep the buses moving, plumbers keep the water flowing, and HVAC technicians keep the furnace running.

The description of each Try-A-Trade® Takeout activity includes the trade to which it relates and ideas for curriculum connections to explore in math, science, language arts, fine arts, and more.

To make the most of these opportunities, consider expanding the activity to include research into where students see examples of the trade and how it influences everyday life or classroom presentations by people who practice the trade.

See the list of resources below to prepare to lead the activities. You might like to test a kit before rolling it out to your class.

Resources

Try-A-Trade® Takeout activity video walkthroughs ▶︎‖
PDF instructions (in the sidebar) ↓📁
Try-A-Trade® Takeout Activity Summaries ↓📁
Trade profiles and introductory videos (tradesecrets.alberta.ca) 🌐
Education and career planning (alis.ab.ca) 🌐

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I return the tools when I’m done?

All tools and materials are yours to keep.

What do they cost?

All activities are free, thanks to our generous sponsors.

What grade levels are they for?

All kits list a recommended minimum grade. However, you are welcome to participate in any activity at your own discretion.

How many can I order?

One activity per season of Try-A-Trade® Takeout. The Try-A-Trade® Takeout store is open three times per year for orders: Sept. 10, Dec. 10, Mar. 11.

What’s in a box?

A box of any activity contains materials for 30 participants, along with the required tools and instructions.

How do I order?

Activities are offered on a first come first served basis on a seasonal schedule. No prior signup is required to access the store (linked above). Due to very high demand, they sell out quickly!

If I already have the tools, can I just get the materials?

Yes! “Top-Up” kits are now available for most activities.

Can I order on behalf of another teacher?

Unfortunately not. In an effort to keep access equal for all educators, our order system now limits individual users to one order per season.

Program Impact

In 2025, the Try-A-Trade® Takeout program reached 20,000+ students in 250+ schools across Alberta.

“Our class loved the opportunity to create something on their own! Kids were super engaged and so proud of their creation! The kids were begging to do it again and try something new! Fantastic experience!” -Grade 4-6 teacher

99% of teachers said the Try-A-Trade® Takeout program improved their students perception of the trades.