Tag: Construction

Workforce Wednesday: Engineering in Alaska

Alaska is home to dozens of engineering specialties, ranging from civil to mechanical, aerospace to ship building. If there’s a big infrastructure project, chances are there was an engineer involved.

Engineers also make a broad salary, averaging anywhere from $46 to $73 per hour, according to Cassie Ostrander, a spokesperson for the Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium (APICC). She and Kristina Storlie joined the Daybreak crew to discuss engineering jobs in Alaska.

Storlie used to work in the food service industry. Now, as a mechanical engineer, Storlie spends her day behind a desk or out in the field, so “every single day is completely different!” Storlie works under a professional engineer, and says she’s done everything from working on a hospital facility to the rocket launch facility on Kodiak Island.

People looking for that career change can enroll in the University of Alaska Anchorage’s or University of Alaska Fairbanks’ engineering programs, or drop in at an engineering firm and leave their resume. Ostrander said that ASRC Energy Services and CH2M both have open positions. She added that some firms will create a position for a person if they have the right skill set.

For more information, visit APICC’s website or watch the video segment here.

Source: Workforce Wednesday: Engineering in Alaska | KTVA 11

UAA Construction Management Students Win National Competition


After months of practice, UAA construction management students saw their hard work pay off with a first place win at the most prestigious event for construction management students in the country.

“This is our third win in four attempts in the last two years — that’s a 75 percent success rate,” noted Don Tipton, assistant professor of construction management and the team’s faculty coach. “I’m really proud of how well UAA students have represented themselves and the university at the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition.”

UAA’s recent successes in the competition are no small feat. “Other schools have tremendous resources to prepare their students for the event,” said Tipton. Some schools even have management classes specifically designed for the ASC Competition and offer credit and designate funds for competition participation.

Read the full article here.

Source: UAA construction management students win national competition – Green & Gold News

AGC & Construction Education Foundation Scholarships

The 2017 AGC/CEF Scholarship Applications are open!

How do I apply for these scholarships? Click here and complete all sections of the online application.

Who is eligible for these scholarships? Any Alaskan resident pursuing post-secondary education in a construction-related field at a school either in or outside of the state, with the intent to live and work in Alaska after completing their program.

How many scholarships are awarded? Six total scholarships are awarded: Two at $5,000 and four at $2,500.

When are applications due? Applications are due to the Anchorage AGC office by 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 1st, 2017.

When and how are recipients notified? Successful scholarship recipients will be notified in writing by May 19, 2017 and their award will be presented at the AGC Annual Golf Tournament reception on June 15th, 2017 at the AGC offices.

Source: AGC & Construction Education Foundation Scholarships – AGC of Alaska

Workforce Wednesday: Opportunities within the Municipality of Anchorage


The Municipality of Anchorage is hosting a free “job shop” aimed at supporting residents looking for employment. The program started in Mountain View and has expanded to the Z.J. Loussac Public Library. The job shops are part of Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s goal to create employment opportunities and be innovative in Alaska’s uncertain economic times.

“If you look at the bones of the Alaska economy, we are strong, still a resource development state, there is still plenty of opportunity,” Berkowitz said Wednesday.

There are hundreds of jobs that the Municipality offers, from information technology to law enforcement, maintenance and more. One city department that’s “in full growth mode,” according to the mayor, is the police department. Berkowitz has pushed for the department’s growth, which he now says has nearly 420 officers. An academy is set to start this summer.

A full list of Anchorage Municipality jobs can be found at the city’s website. More information can be found at the Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium’s website.

Watch the Workforce Wednesday video segment here.

Source: Workforce Wednesday: Opportunities within the Municipality of Anchorage | KTVA 11

Workforce Wednesday: Apprenticeships in Alaska

Did you know there are over 300 apprenticeship programs right here in Alaska? If you’re looking to earn while you learn, an apprenticeship could be right up your alley.

You’ll need to know exactly which career or industry you want to work in. There are careers in mining, gas, oil, healthcare and more.

“You just don’t just show up on the doorstep of apprenticeship unprepared,” said Gerry Andrews, who works with the Department of Labor.

It’s a good idea to start preparing as soon you can. The starting pay isn’t bad, either — around $15 and hour in most industries.

If you’re interested, you can head over the Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium website, or to the Department of Labor website.

Source: Workforce Wednesday: Apprenticeships in Alaska – KTVA 11