Alaska Wins One Million Dollar Grant to Expand Registered Apprenticeships in Health Care and Aviation

JUNEAU, Alaska—The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a competitive grant of $1,019,985 to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train Alaskans for careers in the health care and aviation industries. The training will utilize Registered Apprenticeships, which are employer driven workforce development programs that combine structured on the job training with technical classroom instruction.

Registered Apprenticeships supported by the grant include Community Health Worker, Medical Administrative Assistant, Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Biller/Coder, Commercial Pilot, Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic, and Aircraft Dispatcher. The apprenticeships will be accessible statewide, with strong participation from air carriers and primary care clinics serving rural villages and hub communities, in addition to Alaska’s urban centers.

“Registered Apprenticeship programs directly contribute to higher rates of Alaska Hire and lower rates of unemployment by increasing the supply of trained workers,” said Labor Commissioner Heidi Drygas. “Thank you to the Alaska Primary Care Association and Alaska Air Carriers Association members who are stepping up to expand training and job opportunities for Alaskans.”

The grant represents the most recent milestone in a comprehensive state effort to expand apprenticeships and increase Alaska Hire. Already, the state has re-established Alaska Hire requirements, expanded apprenticeship utilization targets for state-funded projects, and obtained federal funding to help health care providers form a multi-employer sponsor of health care apprenticeships. The $1 million ApprenticeshipUSA grant will build on that progress, as the Alaska Primary Care Association’s apprenticeships will be housed in the multi-employer Alaska Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium.

Read More: Alaskanomics: 2016 First Quarter Employment

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