Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/13/2022 01:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Adjourn | |
| Start | |
| Presentation: Workforce Initiatives |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 13, 2022
1:02 p.m.
1:02:42 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Bishop called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 12:28 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Click Bishop, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Natasha von Imhof
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Alicia Amberg, Executive Director, associated General
Contractors of Alaska; Cari-Ann Carty, Executive Director,
Alaska Safety Alliance Maritime Works; Mari Selle, Director
of Health Equity, Primary Care Associates; Brad Billings,
Administrator, Career and Technical Education; Kyla J.
Pomrenke, Executive Director, Alaska Workforce Investment
Board; Pat Pitney, President, University of Alaska, In
Room; Terri Cothren, Associate Vice President, University
of Alaska.
SUMMARY
^PRESENTATION: WORKFORCE INITIATIVES
1:04:55 PM
ALICIA AMBERG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATED GENERAL
CONTRACTORS OF ALASKA, introduced herself.
CARI-ANN CARTY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA SAFETY ALLIANCE
MARITIME WORKS, introduced herself.
MARI SELLE, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH EQUITY, PRIMARY CARE
ASSOCIATES, introduced herself.
Ms. Amberg discussed the presentation, "Career and
Technical Education; Preparing a new generation of workers
that keep Alaska Strong; Industry Partners; Alaska
Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Alaska
Department of Education and Early Development; University
of Alaska; Senate Finance Committee; April 13, 2022" (copy
on file). She looked at slide 2, "The new workforce
challenge." She discussed slide 3, "AGC of Alaska, who we
are":
? Since 1949, AGC has served as the voice of Alaska's
commercial construction industry.
? As the state's leading construction trade
association, we provide our members products and
services designed to improve and grow their business
and enhance the professionalism of Alaska's
construction industry.
? We proudly provide support to Disadvantaged Business
Enterprises, or DBEs
Ms. Amberg looked at slide 4, "Good News: Recovery is
Underway." She said that economic recovery in the
construction industry was underway. She stated that the
Department of Labor predicted that the industry would
achieve 100 percent recovery in 2022. The slide reflected
numbers for Alaskas forecasted recovery to pre-pandemic
levels, by industry.
1:07:15 PM
Ms. Amberg discussed slide 5, "Bad news: We lack
workforce." The slide showed that the percent in labor
force had been long declining. The labor force
participation rate of people looking for work or working
rested at approximately at 64 percent in 2022. She lamented
that the labor shortage combined with the cost of materials
was setting up for a perfect storm in the construction
industry.
Ms. Amberg displayed slide 6, "Help wanted! Defining
workforce needs":
? Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
anticipates 8.6 percent growth in construction trades
occupations between 2018 and 2028, with annual average
openings of 1,726 jobs.
? Occupations with the highest expected average annual
openings between 2018 and 2028 include construction
laborers (455 annual openings), operating engineers
and other construction equipment operators (346),
carpenters (270), and electricians (225).
Ms. Amberg highlighted slide 7, "Our Goal: Put Alaskans to
Work":
? Competition for labor is fierce
? Cannot rely on Outside labor
? Must retain and attract local workers
? Hiring and training takes time
? Takeaway: We prefer to hire Alaskans
1:11:05 PM
Ms. Amberg discussed slide 8, "Tackling the challenge head-
on." The slide showed the homepage of the Associated
General Contractors (AGC) of Alaskas website. She stated
that AGC had launched an aggressive campaign to promote
careers in construction. She said that the site had been
designed as a one-stop shop for Alaskans considering a
career in construction related industries, included facts
and figures related to =various construction career paths.
She said that the site was updated regularly and used to
inform and engage potential new construction workers, high
school students, career counselors, and more. She relayed
that workforce ads were delivered to targeted demographics
using geofencing technology. She stressed that she would
appreciate any help with sharing the resource with Alaskans
statewide.
1:11:07 PM
Co-Chair Bishop asked about geofencing. He noted the
children of the state were the future workforce.
1:11:41 PM
Ms. Amberg explained geofencing. She shared that anywhere a
cell phone pinged within a fenced in location, a targeted
ad could be received through social media sites that
directed people to We Build Alaska. She noted that the
practice was only happening in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Co-Chair Bishop asked whether the geofencing had proved a
good return on the investment.
Ms. Amberg replied in the affirmative. She said that
preliminary numbers were positive.
1:12:30 PM
Ms. Amberg addressed slide 9, "Industry Partners: Get
Engaged":
? Share the WeBuildAlaska resources to direct
potential candidates to existing training entities
throughout the state.
? Like + promote WeBuildAlaska content on social media
1:13:19 PM
Ms. Carty discussed the presentation, "ALASKA STRONG;
Fisheries, Seafood and Maritime; Alaska Senate Finance
Committee; April 13, 2022" (copy on file). She stressed
that Alaska was a maritime state: the waters off Alaskas
shores produced more that 60 percent of the nations
seafood harvest; significant amounts of oil and gas were
produced offshore; communities and consumers depended on
marine lines for fuel, durable goods, and consumer
products; ferries, cruise ships, and personal watercraft
fly Alaskas waters generating billions to the states
economy. She noted that over $6 billion was generated by
the seafood industry alone. She said that mariculture was
the largest workforce sector in the state; more than 70,000
individuals working across 150 costal communities and in a
wide range of careers. She stated that the industry was
inextricably linked to other critical industry sectors that
drove the states economy and depended on direct maritime
activity and support.
1:14:46 PM
Ms. Carty looked at slide 12. She relayed that the industry
did not lack for career opportunities but faced a challenge
in the lack of skilled workers. She related that state
agencies, employers, and the university had come together
to develop the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan,
published in 2014. She said that the effort was long
standing and established and would benefit form additional
funding. She mentioned a cross industry report, published
through the efforts of the Alaska Business Education
Compact Cross-Industry Working Group and the Alaska Safety
Alliance. She noted that the strategies lined out in the
workforce development plan aid in development of cross-
cutting skills. She said that the demand for a robust
workforce will grow and having trained workers will become
more important, especially in rural areas of the state.
1:15:33 PM
Ms. Carty pointed to slide 13, "Training for Cross-Cutting
Skills":
Report Findings Need of:
? Employability Skills ? Career Awareness and
Outreach
? Expanding Direct Work
Experience
? Collaboration
1:16:51 PM
Ms. Carty looked at slide 14, "Alaska Economic Regions,
Maritime Training Providers":
50+ PARTNERS
? Economic Development Organizations
? Federal Agencies
? Industry
? Native Organizations
? State Agencies
? School Districts
Ms. Carty relayed that the working group had worked to
create resources and to engage and attract Alaskans to the
maritime industry. She said that the resources could be
accessed at maritimeworks.org.
1:17:05 PM
Ms. Carty addressed slide 15, "MARITIME CAREERS AWARENESS
PROJECT":
Creating visual communication tools and resources to
enhance awareness
1:17:46 PM
Ms. Carty pointed to slide 16, "All on one page":
Comprehensive overview that easily connects reader to
additional resources
1:17:51 PM
Ms. Carty discussed slide 17, "Maritime Career Pathways":
? Fish Tech
? Mariculture
? Seafood Harvesting
? Seafood Processing
? Vessel Repair
? Vessel Operations
Ms. Carty related that funding would result in delivery of
over 40 maritime courses that would result in stackable,
industry recognized credentials. The she said that the
credentials would result in qualified employees in all
maritime employment careers. She reiterated that additional
funding would support training in the largest field of
employment in the state.
1:19:23 PM
Co-Chair Bishop understood that the training was available
in 10 different locations.
1:19:26 PM
Ms. Carty agreed. She added that each career site was
listed on the website.
1:19:57 PM
Ms. Carty displayed slide 18, "Worker Shortage COVID and
other impacts":
"Demographics suggest shortage will persist. Employers
will face smaller applicant pools well beyond the
pandemic. What the initial numbers make clear is the
balance has shifted between the number of positions
employers want to fill and the supply of available,
interested [and qualified] applicants."
COVID and the missing workers: Who stayed out and what
that says about the shortage Alaska Trends Magazine,
April 2022
Dan Robinson
Ms. Carty announced that significant work lay ahead for the
industry. She noted that the workforce shortage was a
national problem. She said that the state was especially
vulnerable to the shortage. She said that the maritime
sector had been hard hit and companies were aggressively
courting US workers in an already tight labor market, which
threatened seafood processing among other areas. She said
that Alaskas economic future rested on a strong effort to
rebuild the workforce.
1:22:23 PM
Co-Chair Bishop asked how many industry partners were
associated with the workforce development program.
1:22:36 PM
Ms. Carty replied that there were 76 partners.
1:22:47 PM
Co-Chair Bishop queried what recruitment looked like on
whole for the industry. He felt that the state had plenty
of assets and the issue was recruitment of human resources.
1:23:15 PM
Ms. Carty agreed. She believed it was an issue of lack of
career awareness. She said that students were not well
informed of the job opportunities in the state.
1:23:48 PM
Ms. Selle discussed the presentation, "Alaska Strong" (copy
on file). Ms. Selle viced support and stressed the
importance of the Alaska Healthcare Workforce Pipeline
project. She said that the Alaska Primary Care Association
supported the operations and development of Alaskas 29
federally qualified health centers, or Community Health
Centers (CHC). She stated that CHCs provided comprehensive
care including medical, dental, behavioral, pharmacy, and
care coordination services. She relayed that the CHCs were
located all over the state.
1:25:03 PM
Ms. Selle looked at slide 21, "Health Workforce Shortage
Crisis." She lamented that healthcare facilities were
seeing far fewer applicants for far greater vacancies than
ever before. She shared concerns relayed to her by
healthcare professionals that the vacancy list was
unprecedented and widespread. The person had relayed that
certified nursing assistant (CNA) travelers were filling
entry level positions and the human resources departments
of facilities could not keep up with the vacancies.
1:26:19 PM
Co-Chair Bishop commented that the CNA travelers filling
entry level positions were likely not being paid entry
level wages.
Ms. Selle agreed.
1:26:55 PM
Ms. Selle pointed to slide 22, "Workforce Shortage Impact":
? 6300 New Alaska health care workers needed annually,
growth + replacement (Alaska Health Care Workforce
Analysis by ASHNHA)
? Impact of Covid: 87 Million for contract health care
workers (FEMA)
? In-Demand Occupations Critical to Healthy
Communities
? RNs, Direct Support Professionals, Medical
Assistants, CNAs, LPN, Dental
Assistants
1:27:53 PM
Ms. Selle addressed slide 23, "Alaska Healthcare Workforce
Pipeline Project":
? How will this project address this crisis?
? PATH Academies: Health Care Pre-Apprenticeships
? Health Care Apprenticeships
? High School CTE and Industry partnership
? UAA, APU and AHEC healthcare degree pathways
Ms. Selle detailed the availability and delivery of PATH
Academy and apprenticeship opportunities. She said that the
project would invest heavily in high school students, with
a focus on rural students, and would provide a defined
career pathway within their community.
Co-Chair Bishop understood the program was distance
delivered. He asked whether it was in-person as well.
Ms. Selle replied that the program was 100 percent distance
delivered but the apprenticeship provided an in-person
component.
Co-Chair Bishop asked whether a community-based hospital
could reserve 6 apprenticeship positions.
1:31:53 PM
Ms. Selle replied that the work would be done to make the
space because the need in the state was so great.
1:32:31 PM
Co-Chair Bishop remarked that previous numbers had shown a
need of 4,000 healthcare workers by 2020. He asserted that
the current need was 6,300.
1:32:55 PM
Ms. Selle replied that the project would put more boots on
the ground in apex centers, or area health education
centers, in partnership with the university. She said that
this would allow for greater area reach in the distribution
of human resources to aid in coordinating the
apprenticeship programs.
1:33:59 PM
Ms. Selle completed discussing slide 23. She mentioned that
all apprentices were eligible to earn college credit during
their apprenticeship.
1:35:27 PM
Ms. Selle looked at slide 24, "Addressing Alaska's Need":
? Rural Outreach and Focus
? Innovative Collaborations
? Industry + Education
? Training Alaskans Where They Are
Ms. Selle thanked the committee for consideration of the
project.
1:37:07 PM
BRAD BILLINGS, ADMINISTRATOR, CAREER AND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION, discussed the presentation, "Department of
Education and Early Development" (copy on file).
1:37:23 PM
Mr. Billings pointed to slide 27, "Our Strategic
Priorities: Alaska's Education Challenge":
Five Shared Priorities:
1. Support all students to read at grade level by the
end of third grade
2. Increase career, technical, and culturally relevant
education to meet student and workforce needs
3. Close the achievement gap by ensuring equitable
educational rigor and resources
4. Prepare, attract, and retain effective education
professionals
5. Improve the safety and well-being of students
through school partnerships with families,
communities, and tribes
1:38:03 PM
Mr. Billings discussed slide 28, "High Quality Career and
Technical Education (CTE)":
Program of Study
? Student career development
? Responsive to demand
? Multiple "stacked" courses
? Academic, Employability, and Technical Standards
? Post-secondary recognized credentials or credit
? Work-based learning
1:40:18 PM
Mr. Billings highlighted slide 29, "Post-Secondary
Institutions." The slide showed an illustration that
demonstrated how federal Perkins funding and formula funds
were distributed to shepherd students toward living wage
jobs. He said that what students were doing in schools
should not be separate from what they will be doing in the
workforce.
1:40:36 PM
Co-Chair Bishop spoke of the Perkins funds and understood
that they were distributed through the student funding
formula.
Mr. Billings replied in the affirmative.
1:41:01 PM
Co-Chair Bishop asked whether there was confirmation that
the Perkins funds were used for CTE.
1:41:04 PM
Mr. Billings replied that the funds were not currently
tracked. He stated that the larger districts were putting
much more than the expected amount into CTE.
1:41:34 PM
Co-Chair Bishop felt that the Department of Education or
the Department of Labor could reach out to school districts
to determine how the money was spent.
1:42:19 PM
Mr. Billings addressed slide 30, "Integrated Career
Pathways Model."
Mr. Billings looked at slide 31, "CTE Partnerships":
? Consultation of local/regional Advisory Committee(s)
? Alaska Technical and Vocational Education Program
(TVEP) training institutions
? Work -Based Learning arrangements with business,
industry, trade union, etc.
? University of Alaska System
? Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Mr. Billings said that the market was out of balance
between students demanding training and an industry ready
to supply that training. He said that employers were averse
to bringing a high school student into their workplaces.
1:44:19 PM
KYLA J. POMRENKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA WORKFORCE
INVESTMENT BOARD, discussed the presentation, "Alaska
Workforce Investment Board (AWIB)" (copy on file).
1:45:46 PM
Ms. Pomrenke discussed slide 34, "A Breakdown of Alaska
Workforce Investment Board (AWIB)":
? 1 Statewide Board
? 9 Staff Members
? 8 Construction Academies
? 7 Regional TVEP Recipients (Technical Vocational
Education Program)
? 27 STEP Grantees (State Training and Employment
Program)
? 10 WIOA Youth Grantees (Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act)
? At-Risk Youth Initiative
? Registered Apprenticeship
? Other Statewide Projects
? Other Federal Grants
1:49:15 PM
Ms. Pomrenke pointed to slide 35, "Alaska Workforce
Investment Board, Regional Training Centers":
1. Alaska Technical Center
2. AVTEC Alaska Vocational Technical Center
3. Delta Career Advancement Center
4. Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center
5. Galena Interior Learning Academy
6. NACTEC - Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical
Center
7. North Slope Training and Education Cooperative
8. *SAVEC Southwest Alaska Vocational Education
Center
9. *Southeast Alaska Career Center
*UA Workforce Programs
10. Yuut Elitnaurviat - Peoples Learning Center
1:49:26 PM
Ms. Pomrenke looked at slide 36, "Alaska Vocational
Technical Center (AVTEC)":
AVTEC's mission:
"Deliver flexible, accessible, and affordable
workforce training that is responsive to the dynamic
needs of business and industry and serves Alaska's
diverse communities?we train Alaskans for work in
Alaska!!"
Building a workforce over 90 percent of all
students who complete training are employed in high
demand jobs within a year.
Employer informed training intensive training,
designed by journey level subject matter experts,
available across the state.
Partnering to increase access Alaska Maritime
Education
Consortium, a partnership with the University of
Alaska and 2021 Domestic Maritime Center of
Excellence.
1:49:43 PM
Co-Chair Bishop understood that there was no longer a
program in Ketchikan associated with the university.
Ms. Pomrenke replied in the affirmative.
Ms. Pomrenke continued to discuss slide 36. She listed the
benefits and successes of AVTEC.
1:50:40 PM
Co-Chair Bishop applauded the AVTEC program.
1:50:57 PM
Ms. Pomrenke continued to discuss the programs on slide 36.
1:51:50 PM
Ms. Pomrenke pointed to slide 37, "Workforce Training and
Reemployment for Alaskans." The slide showed a breakdown of
the budget in a pie chart. The numbers were as follows:
TVEP Distribution - $13.5 million
Vocational Rehabilitation - $1.6 million
STEP Individualized Work Readiness - $1.1 million
WIOA Dislocated Worker - $1.5 million
AK Construction Academies - $1.7 million
WIOA Adult - $3.3 million
STEP Grants -$5.5 million
WC Reemployment Benefits - $7.6 million
Governors Proposal - $10.0 million
1:52:17 PM
Ms. Pomrenke looked at slide 38, "Committed to Building New
Partnerships and Strengthening Old Ones:"
? $3.9 Million apprenticeship grant creating new
partnerships in nontraditional apprenticeable
occupations.
? Healthcare Apprenticeships.
? At-Risk Youth Initiative working with schools,
shelters and other agencies to prepare this workforce
for the future.
? Good Jobs Challenge Strengthening partnerships in
the Healthcare, Maritime and Construction Industry.
? Newly formed working relationships in the Tourism,
Hospitality and Transportation industry.
? Expanding outreach to ensure returning citizens and
workers with disabilities are represented in the
workforce.
? Workforce Development Plan targeted towards newly
funded projects.
1:54:47 PM
Ms. Pomrenke addressed slide 39, "Looking to the Future":
? Proven effectiveness in administrating and
monitoring statewide and federal activities
? Staff is committed to working with training
providers, employers and job-seekers in a creative
manner in order to meet the workforce demand in this
unique time
? We know there is strong demand in occupations
including education, healthcare, construction,
transportation and maritime
? We also foresee expanded opportunities for creative
growth within the state of Alaska including
entrepreneurship, mariculture, space industry,
manufacturing opportunities
1:55:33 PM
Ms. Pomrenke discussed slide 40, "We Are Preparing Alaskans
for the Jobs of Today and Tomorrow."
Co-Chair Bishop asked when the next board meeting was
scheduled.
Ms. Pomrenke replied that the next board meeting was
scheduled for June 23, 2022.
Co-Chair Bishop offered some requests for workforce
development coordination with the prison system.
Ms. Pomrenke noted that there were programs being
considered for apprenticeship programs working with the
Department of Corrections.
1:56:53 PM
Co-Chair Bishop invited Pat Pitney to the table.
Senator Wilson offered that he was a fan of the "chain
gang." He asked about child labor laws.
Ms. Pomrenke said most of the child labor laws were federal
and the state could not control them.
1:58:00 PM
Co-Chair Bishop referenced the addendum that was crafted in
2010 and updated in 2018. He stressed the need for the
state to stay committed to workforce development.
1:59:55 PM
PAT PITNEY, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, IN ROOM,
introduced her fellow presenter.
Co-Chair Bishop
2:01:04 PM
President Pitney discussed the presentation, "University of
Alaska; Training Tomorrow's Workforce Today" (copy on
file).
2:01:28 PM
President Pitney pointed to slide 42, "UA Goals":
The University of Alaska inspires learning, and
advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching,
research, and public service, emphasizing the North
and its diverse peoples
Contribute to Alaska's economic development,
skilled workforce and engaged citizenship
Foster academic excellence for student success
Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in
students, faculty and staff
Operate cost effectively
Grow our world-class research
President Pitney displayed slide 43, "Priority Focus
Areas."
Increasing Student Enrollment
Develop workforce and focused economic development
initiatives
Promote Arctic policy, research, and leadership
Advance the Alaska Native Success Initiative
Build finance industry partnerships to expand business
workforce
Increase Fisheries and Ocean Sciences presence in
Southeast Alaska
2:03:37 PM
President Pitney looked at slide 44, "UA Construction,
Mining, Oil and Gas Programs, Addressing Cross-Industry
Skills":
100+ Programs Training
? Architects
? Carpenters
? CDL Drivers
? Construction Managers
? Engineers
? Engineering Technicians
? Facilities Repair and Management
? General Ops Managers
? Geologists
? Heat/Air/Ref Mechanics
? Heavy Equipment Operators
? Mechanics
? Mining Operators
? Process Technicians
? Roustabouts
? Safety and Health Specialists
? Surveyors
? Welders
Investments to Advance Efforts
? Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements to expand
workforce programs and enhance economic development
? Partnering to expand pathways with Alaska's Cross-
Industry Skills Project
2:04:31 PM
TERRI COTHREN, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF
ALASKA, looked at slide 44, "UA Construction, Mining, Oil
and Gas Programs, Addressing Cross-Industry Skills":
100+ Programs Training
? Architects
? Carpenters
? CDL Drivers
? Construction Managers
? Engineers
? Engineering Technicians
? Facilities Repair and Management
? General Ops Managers
? Geologists
? Heat/Air/Ref Mechanics
? Heavy Equipment Operators
? Mechanics
? Mining Operators
? Process Technicians
? Roustabouts
? Safety and Health Specialists
? Surveyors
? Welders
Investments to Advance Efforts
? Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements to expand
workforce programs and enhance economic development
? Partnering to expand pathways with Alaska's Cross-
Industry Skills Project
Ms. Cothren stressed the importance of partnerships to
prepare for the significant workforce needs of the state.
She said that dialogue with partners form all regions of
the state were happening to address Alaskas workforce
needs. She noted that many of the programs on the list
shared cross-industry skills. She noted that skills that
served the oil and gas industry could also serve in the
area of water treatment. She spoke of university partners
in apprenticeship and career pathways.
2:08:37 PM
Ms. Cothren pointed to slide 45, "UA Clinical and
Behavioral Healthcare Programs Creating Healthier
Communities":
31 Clinical Programs Training
? Certified Nursing Assistants
? Clinical Laboratory Technicians
? Dental Assistants
? Dental Hygienists
? Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
? Medical Assistants
? Nurses
? Medical Records Technicians
? Medical and Health Services Managers
? Radiologic Technicians
19 Behavioral Programs Training
? Behavioral Health Specialists
? Counselors
? Psychiatric Technicians
? School Psychologists
? Social Workers
Investments to Advance Efforts
? UAA Health Programs - increase instructional
capacity to meet demand
? Partnering to expand apprenticeship pathways with
Alaska's Healthcare Workforce Pipeline Project
Ms. Cothren stressed that any healthcare investments that
could be made in the partnerships and projects would help
to increase capacity for healthcare pathways, particularly
for rural students.
2:10:18 PM
Ms. Cothren pointed to slide 46, "UA Maritime and
Mariculture Programs
Partnering to Advance Alaska's Largest and Emerging
Sectors":
30+ Maritime and Mariculture
Programs Training
Commercial Seafood Harvesters
? Captains
? Deckhands
? Fisheries Biologists, Scientists, Economists, and
Management Specialists
? Fisheries Technician
? Hatchery Manager
? Quality Control and Assurance Managers and
Technicians
? Seafood Plant Processing Engineers
? Seafood Plant and Production Managers
? Shellfish Farmers
? Ship Builders
? Vessel Engineer
? Vessel Repair and Maintenance Technicians
Investments to Advance Efforts
? Maritime Works: Partnerships to advance Alaska's
Largest Sector
? Mariculture Research and Development to increase
workforce capacity
Ms. Cothren relayed that the partnerships would expand
career awareness and would share instructional resources;
curriculum was shared to leverage the development of
curriculum and increase alignment across the state.
2:13:13 PM
Co-Chair Bishop asked whether there were employment numbers
available for the maritime industry for the last 20 years.
2:13:26 PM
Ms. Cothren agreed to provide that information.
2:13:47 PM
Senator Wilson queried why there were so many requests in
the maritime industry as they were not currently paying
their fair share.
2:14:14 PM
Ms. Cothren discussed slide 47, "Partnerships Strengthen
Cross-Industry, Healthcare and Maritime Workforce
Outcomes":
DEED Partners
? Dual enrollment pathways
? Development and communication of resources
? Annual conference
? Federal reporting
DOLWD Partners
? Apprenticeship pathways
? State and federal CTE reporting
? Articulation of postsecondary pathways with AVTEC
? Alaska Maritime Education Consortium
Workforce and Economic
Partners
? Alaska Economic Development Orgs
? Denali Commission
? Rasmuson Foundation
? Tribal Organizations and Native Corporations
Industry Partners
? Advisory boards
? Associations providing technical and apprenticeship
programs
? Hiring Graduates
? Internships
? Scholarships
Ms. Cothren reiterated that new partnership would be
critical to meet the workforce needs of the state.
2:14:55 PM
Senator Wilson recalled a previous question regarding how
many degree programs offered by the university.
2:15:16 PM
President Pitney replied that a response had been sent to
the committee. She said that looking at the breadth of
degrees available, the university had approximately two-
thirds the offerings compared to other small western state.
She added that the number of locations where study was
offered was lower than in other states, which limited
availability.
2:17:00 PM
Ms. Cothren looked at slide 48, "Value of Developing
Alaska's Workforce":
Investment needed to develop a strong economy
? Meet labor demands
? Develop Alaska's natural resources
? Create healthier communities
Workforce Development
Educational Access
Skilled Workforce
Livable Wages
Alaska Strong
Improved Health
Economic Growth
Need for Support
Crime
Economic Development
Capital Investments
Business/Industry
Local hire/AK residency
2:17:41 PM
Senator Wilson remarked that the state spent money to train
the workforce for the private sector. He stressed that the
state was a major competitor for the private sector, and
perhaps contracting out could be an option.
2:18:23 PM
Ms. Cothren concluded that earning potential and upward
mobility increased with education. She stressed that more
education and training correlated with lower unemployment
rates, more employment opportunities, better health, less
need for government support services, and lowered crime
rates.
Co-Chair Bishop discussed the agenda for the next morning's
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
2:19:44 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:19 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 041322 ALL Presentations - SFIN WFD Compilation Slide Deck.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2022 1:00:00 PM |
|
| SB 98 Support Smith.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2022 1:00:00 PM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 Amendment #1 Wielechowski.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2022 1:00:00 PM |
SB 98 |
| SB 98 GCDSE Letter of Support for SB98 April 2022_V1.0.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2022 1:00:00 PM |
SB 98 |