The Division of Business Partnerships supports the mission of the Department by partnering with business and industry to build a trained and prepared workforce. Since the division’s beginning in 2003, we’ve built an industry-led statewide network of partnerships that focus on one outcome: building a skilled workforce responsive to industry demand. This spurs economic growth and fosters productivity in business and industry, which in turn contributes to Alaska’s leadership in the national and international marketplace.
The system is built around industry-driven strategies, where competencies required for jobs are tied to industry skill standards and industry-recognized job requirements, and aligning federal and state employment and training resources programs with specific criteria for participant or grantee eligibility. The federally funded programs include the Workforce Investment Act Adult, Dislocated Worker, Rapid Response and Youth programs, and several initiative-based projects, such as the Alaska Salmon Fishery Response Project, the Base Realignment and Closure project, the High Growth Job Training Initiative for Energy, The Denali Commission’s Denali Training Fund and the newest, the Alaska Pipeline Worker Training Program. The state funded programs include the State Training and Employment Program and the Youth First Initiative.
The Division administers these resources through grants and partnership agreements with for-profit and not-for-profit entities, union and non-union organizations, state and local public agencies including school districts, regional training centers and the University of Alaska. Organizations and agencies interested in receiving a grant from the Division are encouraged to monitor the state’s on-line public notice system for information on the next grant opportunity |