ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE  February 21, 2001 3:40 p.m. COMMITTEE CALENDAR  OVERVIEW: STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TAPES  01-22A, SIDES A & B 01-22B, SIDE A   CALL TO ORDER  REPRESENTATIVE LISA MURKOWSKI, Chair, called the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.   PRESENT Committee members present were Representatives Murkowski, Halcro, Meyer, Kott, Rokeberg, Crawford, and Hayes.   SUMMARY OF INFORMATION CHRIS MILLER, Chief, Research and Analysis Section, Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD), reported that Alaska's population and, more notably, the change in migration to Alaska affect the workforce. About 15 percent of Alaska's 622,000 residents move in and out of the state each year. When the economy is bad in the Lower 48, more people migrate to Alaska. With the Baby Boomers reaching retirement age, there will be plenty of opportunities for work in the state. The service, healthcare, and oil industries will be steadily growing. Nursing and retail sales will experience the largest growth rates. JIM SANDERS, Executive Director, Alaska Human Resource Investment Council (AHRIC), presented an overview. He stated that AHRIC's mission is to combine the needs of employers with the needs of workers by facilitating communication between the two groups. AHRIC also assists with training and developing policy between institutions and employers through partnerships with the school system, postsecondary institutions, the University of Alaska, Native non profit agencies, and unions. WENDY REDMAN, Vice President, University of Alaska, commented on AHRIC's role in facilitating job training and its oversight of training partnerships. She stated that under the direction of the new university president, Mark Hamilton, there has been a resurgence of job training within the university system. The university has worked with five different consortiums to develop new programs. MIKE SHIFFER, Director, Alaska Workforce Investment Office (AWIO), stated that the primary functions of AWIO include direct oversight of training programs, grants administration, policy development, and technical assistance to local areas providing job training services. The agency also works directly with employers and workers affected by mass layoffs and job losses. AWIO looks to the AHRIC and DLWD for leadership and direction in promoting training programs in the state. FRED ESPOSITO, Director, Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC), reported that AVTEC is a leader in providing technology education and training in the state. Last year AVTEC certified 1,542 Alaskans who became certified mechanics, chefs, industrial electricians, welders, physical plant managers, accounting clerks, and healthcare providers. The graduates are educated in industry, can choose from over 20 different fields, and can leave with industry certification. AVTEC emphasizes timely programs and has responded to industry requests by implementing new programs. ANNOUNCEMENTS  There were no committee announcements. COMMITTEE ACTION  The committee took no action. ADJOURNMENT    CHAIR MURKOWSKI adjourned the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. NOTE: The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the House Records Office at State Capitol, Room 3, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Second Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.