AVTEC signs MOU with Lower Kuskokwim School District to provide teacher housing

Sept. 16, 2024
No. 24-18

SEWARD, Alaska — The Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lower Kuskokwim School District (LKSD) to provide tiny homes for educators at LKSD school sites for the cost of materials and shipping. The completed homes will be barged directly to the communities.

While the exact number of tiny houses to be built has not yet been determined, several tiny houses are intended to be built under the new agreement. Many communities were discussed to receive the first tiny home, including Kwethluk, Kasigluk, Atmautluak or Napakiak. A final decision will likely be made closer to the completion of the first tiny home.

The first tiny home for the region will start to be built in January 2025. The first home is expected to be completed for delivery in 2026.

"Training Alaskans for success in high demand careers is a priority for my administration," said Gov. Mike Dunleavy. "This agreement is an innovative solution to one of Alaska’s workforce challenges. AVTEC students gain valuable skills while contributing to Alaska’s rural housing needs, giving schools districts an important tool to attract and retain teachers."

Housing in many communities in Alaska is a barrier for many to enter into local workforces, this challenge is especially present in rural Alaska where existing housing for teachers is aging and needs replacement. Revitalizing the region’s housing for teachers will be a helpful tool to recruit and retain educators to work in schools throughout the region.

Partnerships like this with the Lower Kuskokwim School District have been sought by AVTEC as a way to benefit all regions of Alaska, help keep costs down for students and provide students with the training of building a home from start to finish.

"This new partnership with the LKSD will provide rural teacher housing at a fraction of the cost while AVTEC students continue to receive a high-quality industry-recognized education," said Catherine Muñoz, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

AVTEC is a vocational training center operated by the State of Alaska as a Division of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. AVTEC offers ten vocational education programs, in addition to Construction Technology, including Industrial Welding, Culinary Arts, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies. Classes start in August or January. AVTEC also offers a robust number of maritime courses, with start dates throughout the year.

Located in Seward, AVTEC is an excellent place for Alaskans from across the state to gain key employability and technical skills and start a career in less than a year.

AVTEC’s Construction Technology program trains Alaskans through a 630-hour industry-recognized NCCER training curriculum. The program starts in January and concludes in May. You can learn more about the program on AVTEC’s website: https://avtec.edu/programs/construction-technology and can contact admissions at (907) 224-3322 or admissions@avtec.edu for additional information.

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