Overview

Labor market data shows that more than 1,000 construction workers are needed in Alaska each year for several years to meet construction job growth and to replace retiring workers. When a natural gas pipeline is built, thousands of additional construction workers will be needed.

In Spring 2007, Governor Palin passed legislation that allowed funds to further the success of the Anchorage Construction Academy through the development of other Academies in Alaska Home Building Association communities. The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Alaska has formed the Alaska Construction Academy (AkCA) to continue working with the Anchorage Construction Academy and to begin additional Academies in Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan and Mat-Su.

History of the Academies

In 2006, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Alaska, Anchorage Home Builders Association, Anchorage School District, Alaska Works Partnership, Inc., Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development and Cook Inlet Tribal Council created a construction workforce pilot project, the Anchorage Construction Academy. The purpose of the Academy is for agencies to combine resources to attract and train young people and adults in the Anchorage area to first jobs in construction and trade apprenticeship programs.

The pilot project used available training space at the King Career Center and at area high schools to offer 3rd session, afternoon courses for high school students, plus evening and Saturday courses for adults.

In 2006 the Legislature awarded a $1M grant to the Anchorage School District and the Alaska Works Partnerships, inc. to implement the project, with the goal of serving 200 youth and adults within the year, and to create a replicable Construction Academy model for Fairbanks and other regions with local chapters of the Alaska Home Builders Association: Mat-Su Valley, Kenai Peninsula, Juneau and Ketchikan.

The pilot project began in late 2006, and within six months had surpassed the original goals, with more than 450 students taking construction vocational courses, and over 150 adults taking basic skills courses for a specific trade (carpentry, electrical, plumbing, drywall finishing and welding). Planning had also occurred with Fairbanks area partners to begin a Fairbanks Construction Academy in the fall of 2007.

Governor Palin requested and approved $2 M in the 2008 Department of Labor and Workforce Development capital budget and $1.5 M in the 2008 Department of Commerce and Economic Development budget to continue Academies in Anchorage and to begin Academies in: Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, and the Mat-Su Valley. Each of these communities has a local chapter of the Alaska State Home Building Association.

This year the AGC will provide project management, coordination and administrative functions for this grant, in conjunction with local partners. Contracts will be issued to the local school district and to industry trainers for instruction of high school students and adults. A portion of the funds would go to the Alaska DOLWD, in order to ensure linkages with local Job Centers, and to assist trainees requiring additional employment and training support available from the state. Supporters of this request include the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, Alaska State Home Building Association, Mat-Su Home Builders, Kenai Peninsula Home Builders, Greater Ketchikan Builders Association, South East Alaska Building Industry Association, Alaska DOLWD, Alaska Works Partnerships, Inc. & area School Districts.

Academy Leadership

AGC will work closely with a Statewide Advisory Board to provide overall leadership to the Academies. This Board is made up of: Commissioner of Education, Barbara Thompson, Deputy Commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development, Michael Black, Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Economic Development, Clark Bishop, Chair of the State School Board, Esther Cox, Director of the Alaska Home Building Association, Vicki Portwood, Director of the AGC of Alaska, Dick Cattanach, Director of the Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. Mike Andrews, and the AkCA Executive Director, Kathleen Castle.

Project Plans

To receive funding each Construction Academy community will complete a Project Plan that includes partners from secondary education, an adult training provider, AGC, their local Home Building Association, the Department of Labor and Economic Development Job Service, and the Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. Each community may wish to include other organizations in their partnership. The Project Plan outline is intended to be flexible and meet the needs of each individual community.

For more information about the Anchorage Construction Academy contact:
Kathleen Castle, Executive Director, ACA at: info@alaskaca.org or by calling (907) 222-0999.

ANCHORAGE

KENAI PENINSULA

FAIRBANKS

JUNEAU

KETCHIKAN

MAT-SU