2021 DOLWD REPORT CARD

Division of Administrative Services – Research and Analysis Section

• Publisher of Alaska Economic Trends magazine: More than 6,000 electronic subscribers and a limited print run of about 700.
• Public presentations: More than 60 annual presentations to a variety of audiences, including industry groups, the Legislature, nonprofits, schools, and training providers.
• Repository for economic data: R&A website receives hundreds of thousands of hits each year.

Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC)

• As a premier provider of workforce training, AVTEC trained over 1,000 students from 110 communities for employment in a new job or advancement in a current job.
• Nationally accredited through the Council on Occupation Education (COE), AVTEC offers high quality technical and professional skills development training which prepares Alaskans for work in high demand industries based on labor market data.
• Over 96 percent of the students attending AVTEC COE accredited training complete their programs and of those nearly 91 percent exit training to work in their field of study.

Division of Employment and Training Services

DETS provides labor exchange, employment and training services, and unemployment insurance to Alaskans and Alaska businesses. By remaining flexible in the face of change, maximizing technology, and leveraging Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other state and federal programs, Alaska was able to achieve its vision of providing multiple pathways to high skill, high wage jobs and careers, and access to the education, training, and support services needed to prepare for and participate in high-demand occupations that pay family-sustaining wages.

• AlaskaJobs: With implementation substantially completed during FY 2021, this new online labor exchange and case management system enhances user experience, co-locates data, and provides a single sign-on through myAlaska. AlaskaJobs allows individuals to enter core information into one location when applying for multiple programs and benefits, supports common WIOA participant federal reporting, increases self-service options for external users, and allows staff the ability to provide improved services to customers.
• Alaska Adult Education: Awarded 460 high school equivalency diplomas; regional programs assisted 1,826 students.
• Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment: Due to a COVID-19 unemployment insurance availability waiver in effect for much of FY 2021, there were 1,454 claimants and 963 participants.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program: Assisted 124 older workers, with 49 percent finding unsubsidized work after six month, while 44.1 percent were employed after one year with $4,995 in quarterly average earnings.
• Veterans Employment and Training Services: Veterans receive priority of service at all job centers; 2,141 veterans received career services.
• Wagner-Peyser Employment Services: 33,090 total registrants in AlaskaJobs, 44,233 jobs were posted, and 1,323 individuals visited one of 14 job centers after their re-opening on an appointment basis in June 2021.
• Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs: 612 served in adult program with median earnings of $10,679 in the second quarter after exit; 309 dislocated workers served with median earnings of $11,120 in the second quarter after exit.
• National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant: Provided employment and training services to 438 participants for a program total of 1,037, including at-risk youth and opioid-affected individuals, as well as professionals including counselors, teachers, law enforcement, and emergency room nurses, ended June 30th, 2021.
• Trade and Economic Transition Dislocated Worker Grant: Subrecipients continued safety protocols to mitigate COVID-19 risks, and added a COVID-19 safety certificate to construction training; successfully trained 195 participants. This program ended September 30th, 2021.
• Employer Services: Alaska’s core programs combined served 3,406 employers who placed 25,156 job orders and viewed 33,134 resumes in AlaskaJobs.
• Foreign Labor Certification (FLC): Assisted 33 U.S. employers for jobs in Alaska; 7,761 FLC job openings were certified by U.S. DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification.
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program: Processed 18,886 requests to issue 7,521 certifications for up to $23,300,200 in employer tax credits.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program: Assisted 124 older workers, with 49.0 percent finding unsubsidized work; of those, 44.1 percent were employed after one year with $4,495 in quarterly average earnings.

Unemployment Insurance

• Total UI benefits paid: $855,072,832
• Total initial claims processed: 421,434
• Calls received in UI claim centers: 399,538
• Alaskans who received UI benefits: 93,364
• Average weekly amount: $556

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Helped 1,7859 Alaskans with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep good jobs:

• 92 percent of participants were significantly disabled, with multiple barriers to employment.
• 251 exited the vocational rehab program employed and making an average of $16.16 per hour.

Helped 543 students prepare for employment:

• Offered a variety of programs providing work experience, entrepreneurial skills, job readiness skills, and career exploration.

Helped 1,692 Alaskans with disabilities obtain Social Security benefits:

• Processed 2,811 claims with a 96.1 percent overall quality rate (exceeding the national average of 93.5%), saving time and money, and ensuring eligible Alaskans got benefits.

Streamlined online application process that clients can begin through the DVR website.

Helped Alaskans with disabilities get technology to improve their lives, via Federal Assistive Technology Act grant:

• Provided 34,379 Alaskans with AT awareness and outreach.
• Provided AT-related training, demonstrations, or AT devices to 1,982 individuals.
• Helped Alaskans save $148,068 on AT devices.

Labor Standards and Safety Division

Alaska Occupational Safety and Health

• Reduced the lost time injury rate per 100 employees in the construction, health care, and seafood processing industries by 2.9 percent, exceeding the 2 percent goal.
• Created a COVID-19 dashboard on homepage, updated with the latest employer COVID information and resources from federal Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. DOL, and Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
• Increased participation in Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program; recognized five new businesses that operate exemplary safety and health programs and stand out as a model for worksite safety and health.

Wage and Hour

• Provided 550 direct-mail, educational briefings targeted to specific, high-complaint industries.
• Closed more than 300 wage claims; processed 7,163 Youth Work permits.
• Expanded delivery of educational seminars for statewide public participation via Webex for Wage and Hour, Child Labor, and Public Construction.

Mechanical Inspection

• Conducted 2,508 contractor licensing site inspections, 1,308 electrical and plumbing code inspections, 4,937 boiler/pressure vessel inspections, and 551 elevator inspections.

Workers’ Compensation Division

• Reduced WC premium rates by 14.9 percent in voluntary market and 9.6 percent in the assigned risk pool.
• Developed and codified the 2021 WC Medical Fee Schedule in regulation, meaning significant reductions in medical costs for WC claims.
• Improved access to services by enhancing teleconference and video conference options.
• Investigated 253 Failure-to-Insure allegations, 62 of which resulted in penalties assessed on employers via stipulated settlement (59) or formal decision and order issued by the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board (three).