Labor Department Awards over 1 Million in Training Grants

Over one million dollars in state grants have been awarded to 18 job training providers for the State Training and Employment Program (STEP), announced the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development today.

The statewide recipients will conduct job training for nearly 850 individual Alaskans in a variety of specific and general trades, such as bulk fuel tank welders, commercial truck drivers, early childhood development trainees, electrical apprentices, certified nurses' aides and home care providers. Though the amounts and number of people served could change pending final agreement on award terms and conditions, the recipients are:

• Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium - $86,792 to respond to an identified industry shortage by training 50 individuals to work as oil field roughnecks.

• Alaska Teamster Employer Service Training Trust - $98,490 to train 47 individuals from throughout the state as professional truck drivers.

• Arctic Whitney, Inc. of Nome – $82,231 to train or recertify eight welders in manufacturing bulk fuel tanks for installation in rural communities.

• Bristol Bay Native Association - $53,340 to train 24 personal care attendants to provide service to elderly, disabled and medically frail individuals in Bristol Bay communities as part of BBNA’s Homecare program.

• Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska - $72,259 to provide training for 40 Head Start employees in Southeast to obtain certification as child development associates.

• Center for Employment Education - $102,150 to train 12 individuals in commercial truck and bus driving, heavy equipment operation, and hazardous materials handling.

• Fairbanks Area Painters & Allied Trades JATC - $71,519 to train 10 individuals in the painting and specialty coating trades, as well as hazardous material abatement and other needed skills.

• New Frontier Vocational-Technical Center, Inc. of Soldotna - $88,900 to train 18 individuals in certificated information technology skills.

• Sitka Pioneers' Home - $47,721 to train 12 certified nurse’s aides in community-based and institution-based health care skills.

The following grants are renewals for previously funded training projects:

• Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust - $130,180 for new and continued training for 110 individuals for electrical apprenticeships and commercial drivers licenses.

• Alaska Laborers Union - $99,971 for training or recertifying 140 apprentices or workers in the construction trade.

• Alaska Operating Engineers - $129,914 to provide heavy equipment operator training for 142 apprentices and members.

• Cornerstone Home Health Care of Juneau – $98,557 to train 64 individuals in a variety of health care skills and certifications.

• Inland Boatmen’s Union of the Pacific - $85,873 to provide training for 45 members to become certified in shipboard emergency and safety skills, required for employment with the Alaska Marine Highway System.

• Piledrivers and Divers Local - $105,795 for new and continued welding instruction for 17 individuals; five apprentices will receive first year training, six will receive second year training, and six will receive their third year of training and certifications.

• RADACT - $65,114 to train 20 substance abuse counselors.

• Rural CAP - $80,241 to train 42 individuals in early childhood development.

The STEP program was established in 1989 to help prevent future claims against unemployment (UI) benefits, to foster new jobs in Alaska, and increase training opportunities for workers affected by changes in the economy or technology. One-tenth of one percent of each worker's wages subject to regular UI contributions is put into a special state training account that is then appropriated by the legislature to fund STEP.