JUNEAU, Alaska — The Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB) unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Alaska LNG Project Gasline Workforce Plan. The Alaska LNG project will create thousands of jobs, and the department’s workforce plan aims to align existing resources and identify opportunities to build training capacity to maximize Alaska hire on the gasline.
The Alaska LNG project, led by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, will move 20 million tons of natural gas each year from Alaska’s North Slope to tidewater, where it will be liquefied and shipped by sea to Asian markets. Offtake points along the 807-mile pipeline will ensure Alaskans have access to natural gas for in-state use before it is sold to other markets. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2019, with gas delivered by 2024-2025.
“Construction and operation of the gasline will create up to 20,000 jobs and Alaskans should be first in line for these opportunities,” said Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas. “This workforce development plan will guide efforts to ensure Alaskans can gain the skills and experience they need to build the Alaska LNG project.”
“The Alaska Workforce Investment Board works to connect Alaskans with good jobs,” said AWIB Chair Larry Bell. “We strongly endorse this workforce plan and look forward to working with other stakeholders to prioritize Alaska hire on the gasline.”
The department held public meetings in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Kenai to solicit input for the gasline workforce plan. The plan calls for the formation of a leadership committee to draw from the expertise of business and industry, organized labor, educators, and training organizations. The committee will include representatives from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the University of Alaska, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, the Department of Education and Early Development, and the AWIB. The leadership committee will develop policy and resource recommendations to prioritize education and training for the in demand occupations associated with the Alaska LNG project.
View the original press release at http://labor.alaska.gov/news/2018/news18-17.pdf
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