Students go underground to find rock-steady jobs

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Mining and Petroleum Training Service (MAPTS) has conducted resource industry training and worker certification for 40 years. In addition to hard skills for underground and surface mine operations, MAPTS provides customized training for a variety of employers, agencies and industry partners. Graduates of the MAPTS program move into jobs at Alaska’s major mines, including Kinross in the Interior, Hecla Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island, and Coeur Alaska Kensington in the Southeast.

We know that this program changes lives.

William Bieber, MAPTS Executive Director

Over 400 miners have graduated from MAPTS’ underground mining program in the past decade. Many of whom went straight to work in one of Alaska’s Major mines, joining an industry with about 5,400 mining jobs.

Julie Stricker of UAF’s Cooperative Extension Service shares the story of MAPTS’ contributions to the state’s mining industry, the program’s impact on future miners, and new mining opportunities MAPTS can help seize.

Read the full story here.

Source: Julie Stricker, Public Information Officer, UAF Cooperative Extension Service