Initiative to increase job opportunities

Gov. Frank Murkowski's administration labor officials are launching a new program, Investment Strategy Initiative, to increase job opportunities for Alaskans. The initiative is designed to foster innovative ideas for job developments in the state by partnering with training facilities and businesses.

Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development Greg O'Claray said that hiring Alaskans for good jobs is a priority of the Murkowski administration, and the reason behind the Investment Strategy.

"With the Murkowski administration emphasis on Alaska hire and the launch of the initiative, it is anything but 'business as usual' in the Department of Labor," O'Claray said.

Early in the year, a new Division of Business Partnerships was established to develop state/federal agreements to help the growth of new employment and training programs in Alaska. Katherine Farnham heads the division, headquartered in Anchorage. "We're focused on Gov. Murkowski's commitment to make government processes more efficient, more accessible and definitely more business-relevant," she said.

The Investment Strategy is intended to ensure high-quality job-link training is available to prepare Alaskans for high demand and good wage jobs. Farnham said the program will initially target these industries:

Health care: nursing positions at all levels, pharmacy and medical record technicians, dental assistants, surgical technologists and bill coders.

Information technology: database development, network design, network support specialists, Web development and administration Internet workings, technicians, IT project management.

Construction: carpenters, electricians, plumbers, helpers, welders, painters, paperhangers, operating engineers, roofers, landscaping, grader, scraper operators.

Seafood: refrigeration and maintenance mechanics, maintenance electricians, HVAC technicians, HAACP personnel and Baader technicians.

Education: instructional Para educator professionals, tutor-advisors

Hospitality: hotel workers, office managers, culinary arts

Transportation: aircraft mechanics, commercial truck drivers, transportation agents, heavy equipment mechanics, dispatchers, vessel and tug mates, masters, engineers, oilers and pilots.

Farnham said the division will emphasize partnerships with local economic development plans, including manufacturing, new mine projects and expansion of port facilities.

"The Division of Business Partnerships will be engaging business, industry and economic development partners over the next several weeks," Farnham said. "We want to enlist their support and help in creating training projects that ensure Alaskans are being prepared for good jobs in priority industries."