Alaska Works Partnership hosting free career building classes at Menard Center

WASILLA — Alaska Works Partnership is hosting two free, career building workshops at the Menard Sports Center from Sept. 28 through Oct. 9.

Valley residents looking to start careers in telecommunications or carpentry will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on, introductory workshops over the course of a week.

“You don’t have to know anything,” Alaska Works Partnership program coordinator for the Mat-Su Construction Academy Mark Nusbaum said. “These students are sitting in class in front of instructors who work in that field.”

While no experience or prior knowledge is required for either of the courses, applicants must be screened over the phone prior to acceptance to ensure their commitment to creating a new career.

“We’re not just training anybody… Someone who wants to get into an apprenticeship program or something like that,” Nusbaum said. “We try to get to know them… then we make our decisions.”

Nusbaum said they have to limit their class sizes at the Menard to eight students after the review process. He said they follow up with every application with a phone interview.

Alaska Works is a grant funded nonprofit organization that offers free workshops in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Valley. Nusbaum said they encourage Valley residents to check Anchorage’s wider selection of classes to see if any of the classes strike their interests.

Nusbaum noted that these free classes aren’t just useful for the uninitiated. He said the knowledge, experience with apprenticeship programs and certifications is very useful for those already working in the field they want to pursue, boosting any resume to find higher paying positions.

Nusbaum said that he usually holds courses at the Mat-Su Job Center, but they’re still closed to the public, due to COVID-19.

“That was a major blow to us, them closing their doors,” Nusbaum said. “The state’s taking it very seriously and that kind of dampens our fires, but we’ll get through it. I see some light at the end of the tunnel.”

He said they’re still offering courses, just in a more limited capacity. He said they may be able to offer some remote learning opportunities down the road, but some classes just have to be face to face, hammer to nail.

“We’ve adapted really quickly,” Nusbaum said. “Some things, you just need that hands-on instruction. You can’t Youtube your way through building a house.”

Alaska Works has a range of services available for various demographics, including a female only workshop series and a program for veterans and their spouses.

“The interest lies mostly in being able to pick up that board and hammer,” Nusbaum said.

Nusbaum said the support and education doesn’t stop once class is out. He said they also work as case managers, helping clients connect with apprenticeship programs, and help them refine their resume writing and interviewing skills.

“We stay with the students the whole way,” Nusbaum said. “We got literally hundreds of success stories… Give us a shot and we’ll work just as hard as the applicant will to be successful.”

Nusbaum noted that potential students or those looking for an additional accolade for their resumes can find a COVID-19 work ready certification on their website. He said every applicant is required to obtain the free certification prior to taking any of their workshops.

The telecommunications training course runs from Sept. 28 through Oct 2, and the carpentry course runs from Oct. 5 to Oct. 9. Both take place at the Menard Center.

Nusbaum said that all applicants must be approved ahead of time before attending their classes and cannot simply stop in. To view courses and apply online, visit alaskaworks.org.

For more information, call 907-569-4734 or email mark@alaskaworks.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com.