Alaska Public Media’s American Graduate Showcases Pathways to Success for Anchorage’s Future Workforce

November 13, 2019

Alaska at Work

Alaska Public Media convened nearly 100 community leaders, educators, and businesses to share information and discuss how to best help young people in Alaska succeed in the workforce.

Alaska Public Media is working with more than 28 business, government and community partners as part of the Alaska@Work collaboration to increase the workforce talent pool and highlight the skills needed to fill future high-demand jobs in Anchorage. Alaska Public Media is one of the 19 stations nationwide leading the American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“Working across Alaska, Alaska Public Media is now able to identify community needs, amplify local workforce development solutions, connect partners to enhance that work, and reach individuals looking for information to help young people succeed,” said Ed Ulman, president and CEO of Alaska Public Media. “This work fulfills our mission – Connecting Alaskans. Life Informed. – while reaffirming that public media is local, relevant, and essential.”

Through a CPB grant, Alaska Public Media has convened more than 100 organizations to address local workforce concerns and has created 48 videos and audio pieces on the different career pathways to high demand, well-paying careers. This content is distributed on broadcast, both TV and radio, digital networks and through local partners.

Terry Federer, Maritime Department head of the Alaska Vocational Technical Center, uses the Alaska@Work video on the AVTEC Alaska Maritime Training Center in the maritime youth outreach program. “They have been helpful for explaining the industry to new students,” he said.

Reaching more than 3.4 million Alaskans through its broadcasts, Alaska Public Media’s stories were featured as part of an Anchorage Economic Development Luncheon earlier this year attended by approximately 1,000 business leaders, and at the Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education Professionals conference.

Becoming an HVAC Service Technician | Alaska @ Work, by Alaska Public Media

In addition to local stories, an Alaska@Work website features job fair information, job search tools, scholarship opportunities and career tips as well as connections to training, apprenticeships, certifications and other resources needed to pursue careers in HVAC, mechanics, iron work, carpentry, information technology and fishing.

Alaska Public Media’s partners include the Alaska Department of Labor, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, United Way Anchorage, Alaska Vocational Technical Center, University of Alaska CTE Programs, Iron Workers Apprenticeship School, Anchorage School District CTE, the Job Center, ProStart Alaska, Nine Network Education and Employment Services, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Alaska Works’ Electrical Apprenticeship School, and Northern Industrial Training.

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