State of Alaska Receives $4 Million Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Progams

US Department of Labor has awarded a competitive State Apprenticeship Expansion grant to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Alaska is one of only fifteen states that will receive the award which will be used to develop, modernize and diversify Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

“Apprenticeship is an innovative tool which allows participants to earn a paycheck while learning a trade,” says DOLWD Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter. “Alaska has successfully utilized apprenticeships in healthcare, aviation, and construction. The federal grant will allow us to expand into many of Alaska’s key economic sectors.”

Registered Apprenticeship combines structured on the job training with technical classroom instruction. The use of online technical instruction has allowed Alaska to deliver the benefits to employers and their employees statewide.

The project identified committed partners in targeted industries: healthcare, resource development (oil, natural gas and mining), construction, power generation, IT/cyber security, mental health, education, social services, transportation (land, sea and air), facility operations and maintenance, tourism and hospitality.

Alaska was awarded nearly $4 million in funding as result of a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in apprenticeship. Other goals include developing apprenticeship partnerships with new industries and non-traditional occupations, including industry sectors hardest hit by the pandemic, increasing the overall number of apprentices in the state, and aligning registered apprenticeships with other work-based learning opportunities within the state education and workforce systems.