Job Corps celebrates 30th Anniversary

PALMER — The Don Young Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer celebrated its 30th anniversary Thursday, June 13.

This large gathering drew various community members from across the Mat-Su Valley to enjoy food prepared by Job Corps culinary students while listening to speaker presentations about the importance and impact of the educational vocation program.

A majority of the guest speakers had a personal connection to Job Corps in one form or another.

One of the Alaska Job Corps founders Mack Ferrick marveled at the fact the facility has been in operation for three decades.

“That says something. That says a lot," Ferrick said.

Longtime Palmer resident, business owner, and community supporter Janet Kincaid recalled when Job Corps first opened 30 Years ago. She said it's made a major positive impact over the years and will continue to do so over time.

"It's a magnificent place,” Kincaid said.

Alaska Job Corps is a U.S. Department of Labor program overseen by Chugach Government Solutions. It offers a wide range of educational opportunities so students can gravitate towards career paths that suit their interests and skill sets. Students not only gain career oriented education but also life skills to help prepare them to grow into productive members of society. Students from rural areas across Alaska are regularly recruited into Job Corps while staff present them with various tools and support to help them thrive as individuals.

Alaska Job Corps alumni Travis Chunak took a moment to talk about his experiences at the center and the various benefits he reaped from attending there after moving from a village in the Bristol Bay region. He now works as a security officer Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and he credited Job Corps for giving him a solid foundation to build a career from.

“With the Job Corps program, it helped me obtain a lot of life skills," Chunak said.

Alaska Job Corps Center Director Malyn Smith complimented the students, staff, and community partners during her closing remarks. She said the staff's tireless efforts provided an atmosphere fornl students to thrive and all the alumni serve as shining examples of the impact the center has.

“My heart is full," Smith said. “Together our staff, alumni, and partners form a strong community… We are committed to continuing our work.”

For more information, visit alaska.jobcorps.gov.

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