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Alaskans Can Access Training Funds To Address Employment Skills And Credential Barriers

July 14, 2020
No. 20-24

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is promoting a variety of pathways that Alaskans can pursue to obtain needed skills and credentials to be competitive in their return to the workforce.

“Assisting Alaskans in overcoming skill barriers and obtaining meaningful employment is an integral part of our mission here at the Department of Labor,” said Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter. “If you need assistance returning to the workforce, we have several programs and services waiting to assist all Alaskans find meaningful employment.”

Alaska Job Centers connect Alaskans needing skills training and credentialing to appropriate training programs throughout the state. Job centers work with individuals to establish eligibility and to develop a career plan using a variety of federal and state funded programs to defray training costs.

Grant programs administered by the department include the Alaska Construction Academies (ACAs) and the Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) which provide training to Alaskans in their service areas. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth program provides training to youth and young adults ages 16-24 who experience barriers to finding a job. The State Training Employment Program (STEP) training programs also accept unemployed Alaskans for skills training.

The department also operates the State of Alaska’s Vocational Technical Training Center (AVTEC) in Seward. AVTEC offers a variety of training programs under one year in duration.Examples include welding, maritime, construction, industrial electricity, culinary arts and refrigeration. AVTEC will also work with employers to customize workforce trainings.

For more information on skills training, Alaskans can connect with their local job center at (877) 724-2539.

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