A new Mat-Su College course is intended to remedy a statewide shortage of veterinary technicians through Alaska’s first degree program, scheduled to start in September. The new University of Alaska Anchorage program at the Mat-Su College campus will run 2 1/2 years or six semesters and is open to 16 students, said professor Dr. Judith Montalbano, who has worked at private clinics in the Mat-Su and helps oversee the college’s current veterinary assisting certification program. The application deadline is March 1. All classes will be in-person in Mat-Su, she said.
At their core, the Alaska Safety Alliance (ASA) is about workforce development. Building the skills and proficiencies of Alaskans is a critical component of ensuring a healthy business environment and strong economy for our state in a global economy. It’s ASA’s mission to ensure the availability of a highly trained workforce, sufficient to staff Alaska’s industries safely and competitively, now and in the future.
The ASA Training Scholarship program was created to assist Alaskans who are interested in careers in oil & gas, mining, maritime, construction, or cross-industry. Scholarships are one way we can help ensure Alaskans have sufficient skills, training, and education for a successful career in Alaska.
ALASKA SAFETY ALLIANCE TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
ASA and Alaska 529 have partnered to establish the Alaska Safety Alliance Training Scholarship, and are excited to announce that the application period is now open, through May 31, 2024!
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
-Applicant must be an Alaska resident.
-This scholarship is for applicants who intend to enroll or are currently enrolled in an academic or training program leading to a certification, credential, or degree that will support the applicant’s entry or advancement in a career in Alaska’s oil & gas, mining, construction, or maritime industries. Training program must be Alaska-based or unavailable in Alaska.
-The scholarship is a one-time award. Applicants may re-apply each year and may be selected to receive multiple awards, subject to a maximum lifetime award amount of $5,000.
-The maximum funding level for the scholarship is $1,500 per applicant, per program year ($750 per semester for semester-based programs), payable to the institution. The scholarship review committee recommends award recipients and the final award amounts are at the sole discretion of ASA.
-The number of awards each program year is subject to fund availability.
The new Alaska College & Career Guidance Report examines the programs and practices that can help students plan for life after high school. The report offers recommendations for those who are working as career advisors as well as educational leaders and policymakers.
The report urges investment in these vital programs to create a better future for its young adults and ensure a well-prepared workforce for the future job market.
Cohort of newly certified Yamaha Marine Maintenance instructors.
The Alaska Maritime Education Consortium (AMEC), in partnership with Yamaha, hosted a Yamaha Marine Maintenance Certification Program (MCP) Instructor training in Valdez, Alaska August 4-10, 2023. Yamaha provided two trainers to deliver the MCP certification to eleven instructors from the communities of Dillingham, Ketchikan, Soldotna, Juneau, Kodiak, Valdez, Kotzebue, Chevak, Kwigillingok, and Quinhagak. The instructors represented school districts, AMEC faculty, and representatives from the Coastal Villages Region Fund.
AMEC will work with these certified instructors to establish outboard motor maintenance and repair programs in their respective regions. Anthony Gerasch, Marine Service Technology Instructor at Prince William Sound College said, “This instructor training has made outboard training more accessible to Alaskans spanning the entire state. This initiative will help Alaskans earn a living, work in Yamaha dealerships, and fix machines for people in their communities. Our partnership with Yamaha has been a gift and I thank them for their contributions. This will make a huge impact.”
UA Workforce Development News 