Category: Workforce Development

Alaska Economic Trends (May 2023)

Above: Ketchikan in 2009, by Flickr user Laura Sharkey. License.

Rob Kreiger, economist for the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, examines the state’s housing affordability in the feature article Housing Market Shifts in 2022. While mortgage rates have risen and now show signs of stability, price drops appear unlikely to occur — the good news — the market may continue leveling throughout 2023. Kreiger provides a detailed analysis of the numbers and factors contributing to the housing market trends.

The May edition also outlines 2022 personal income growth and an analysis of Alaska’s economy.

Read the full edition here.

Trends is a nonpartisan, data-driven magazine that covers a variety of economic topics in Alaska.

Source: Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Research & Analysis

Recordings and recap of the 2nd Alaska Mariculture Conference

Dave Bailey, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, presents to conference attendees. Photo by Arron Jones/Alaska Sea Grant.

The second annual Mariculture Conference of Alaska was held in Juneau, Alaska, on February 15–17, 2022. The conference was an opportunity for farmers, researchers, and professionals in mariculture-related industries and agencies to present and discuss a range of issues related to recent mariculture innovations, science, and activities in Alaska. This conference highlighted accomplishments and opportunities for industry growth, education, and research. Video recordings of most presentations are available on-demand at the Alaska Sea Grant YouTube channel—2023 Mariculture Conference of Alaska.

“Overall, this was one of the best conferences I’ve been to in a long time. It was clearly carefully planned. I look forward to attending next year. Kudos to the planning team!”

Conference Attendee

Read the full conference summary here.

Source: Alaska Sea Grant

Fisheries Scholarship Available

Fisheries programs across the University of Alaska system collaborate to provide a workforce for federal and state organizations, public and private non-profit salmon and shellfish hatcheries, and strive to help maintain the health of Alaska’s waters and aquatic resources. In support of this mission, faculty from fisheries programs across UA make scholarship funding available to students entering or enrolled in a fisheries or fisheries-related program. The number of awards given and amounts vary, but typically range from $500 to $2,000.

To be eligible, students must apply and be admitted to a fisheries or fisheries-related program through the University of Alaska.

For more information about the scholarship and application, follow this link.

Source: UA Office of Workforce Development.

Students go underground to find rock-steady jobs

Attendees at the MAPTS graduation ceremony on Nov. 21, 2022, ride in vehicles through the tunnels of the underground mine training center. UAF photo by Eric Engman.

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