Investment Board Expands Job Training To Include Workers In Resource Industries
Mar. 03, 2004
No. 04-37
ANCHORAGE – The Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) has authorized expanding its Workforce Investment Strategy (WIS) program to strengthen the state’s workforce by adding training for workers in the resource industries including oil, gas and mining.
New job skills available through WIS training will include mill operators, surveyors, geoscientists, engineers, roustabouts and process control technicians. The training is covered by funding grants that include travel expenses, tuition costs and student supplies.
Training grant applications should be submitted promptly. The current application deadline is March 31. The investment strategy is administered in the Division of Business Partnerships of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Labor Commissioner Greg O’Claray said, “Investment strategy training supports the Murkowski administration commitment to resource and economic development.
“It streamlines the process of applying for employment and training funds and responds directly to our goal: Alaskans prepared for high demand, good paying jobs.”
Division of Business Partnerships Director Katherine Farnham said she expects strong interest in the job training services from employers. Program Coordinator Karen Backlund is the WIS administrator.
Grant application forms are available online or by mail: Division of Business Partnerships, Suite 105, 1016 W. 6th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501. Investment strategy job training is also available for occupations including seafood processing, education, information technology, transportation, construction and health care.
Some funding for the program is provided by the State Training and Employment Program (STEP). Other funding sources include youth, adult, rapid response and dislocated worker programs covered by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
Depending on grant circumstances, additional funding may be available from the Denali Training Fund and the National Emergency Grant—Salmon Fisheries.
Farnham said grant applications are reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis. The March 31 deadline is applicable to current applications.
The director said there is no maximum or minimum amount specified for applications, “however, funding requests must be reasonable and cost per participant will be taken into account when evaluating applications.”
The Alaska Workforce Investment Board is composed of up to 26 members appointed by the governor. The AWIB goal is to insure that “…all Alaskans have the skills and opportunities necessary to earn a living wage and to meet the future business needs of the state.”
Some AWIB panel members represent the educational community including a representative of the University of Alaska and four representatives of local public, secondary vocational, postsecondary vocational and adult basic educational programs.
Other board appointees include representatives from business and industry; a private industry council; four members of organized labor including one responsible for employment and training of Alaska Natives; a community-based service organization; a representative experienced with developmental disabilities, and up to four additional representatives of the private sector.
The lieutenant governor and the commissioners or their designees of the Alaska departments of Community and Economic Development, Education and Early Development, Health and Social Services and Labor and Workforce Development also serve on the AWIB board.
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News Media Contacts:
Pennelope Goforth, DOLWD Business Partnerships Division, 907.269.8158 or
Joe Holbert, Special Assistant/Communications, 907.465.5673
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