Consortium opens new pathways to career and technical training for Delta students

Local high school students considering careers in the trades and technical fields have a new opportunity to explore those professions and gain valuable hands-on experience through a regional educational partnership.

Michael Lee, Delta/Greely School District superintendent, had been looking for ways to bridge the gap between students and careers in construction and the skilled trades. Last year, he sent a group of students to Anchorage for a pilot program offering intensive, specialized training in several trades.

The students returned with renewed interest and motivation to pursue additional training. Encouraged by their feedback, Lee joined with the superintendents of the Alaska Gateway and Copper River school districts to establish the Alaska Regional Career Interior Consortium, known as ARCTIC.

The consortium has applied for several grants and has secured $50,000 to date to help send students to Anchorage for specialized training.

“We have a fantastic program under Gary Hall, but he is one person with so many hours in the day,” explained Jerry Jones, executive director of ARCTIC. “This helps supplement his programs by giving the students even more exposure to the trades.”

Jones explained that the intensives are 40-hour programs offered through unions and training centers in Anchorage. Students receive hands-on instruction, learn about specific industries, and gain a better understanding of the skills required for careers in Alaska's workforce.

Students can attend training at the Pipeline Training Center, where they are introduced to heavy equipment mechanics and welding through practical, hands-on instruction. The Plumbers and Steamfitters intensives, taught by UA Local 367, offer two 40-hour training opportunities in plumbing, pipefitting, and steamfitting. The Alaska Metal and Mechanical Intensive provides a 40-hour introduction to metal fabrication, mechanical systems, and industry-standard skills, taught by industry instructors.

Rock Star Intensive Mining is another 40-hour program, introducing students to mining equipment, safety practices, and the skills needed to work in the mining industry.

“Students successfully completing the intensive earn their OSHA 10-hour General Industry/Construction Certification,” Jones said.

A commercial driver's license (CDL) preparatory intensive is also available to help students prepare for their CDL. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) offers two 40-hour intensives, as well as a yearlong high school course covering the first-year IBEW curriculum.

“This gives the students a direct entry and placement as an apprentice in the IBEW,” Jones said.

Students complete online daily coursework, with a weekly one-hour Zoom session available for those who have questions or need additional assistance.

The partnership between the schools and the intensives is designed to help prepare students for careers in Alaska's workforce by providing practical training, industry connections, and opportunities to explore specialized career paths.

“These blocks of studies introduce students to a specific technical field or trade,” Jones said. “They gain hands-on knowledge, and it can help them decide if this is the route they want to take, or they may decide on a different trade.”

Thanks to the $50,000 grant, the students incur no cost for their travel to Anchorage. Bed and breakfast accommodations are arranged by the consortium, where they are responsible for managing their daily routines, preparing meals, and arriving at class on time.

“I call it a class within a class,” Jones said with a smile. “The reality in the real-world workforce is you have to get yourself up and to work on time. And yes, they are supplied with all the breakfast and lunch fixings, but they are responsible for getting up, eating breakfast, and making their lunches.”

Students must also keep up with homework from any classes they miss while attending the intensives. However, they also do receive academic credit for the training. Students completing two 40-hour intensives earn a half-credit, while students who complete the yearlong IBEW course receive a full credit.

Jones brings considerable experience in the trades and education to his role as executive director.

“I worked for Nashville Electric for 22 years in overhead underground power distribution,” Jones said.

He moved to Alaska in 2016 and spent five years working in career and technical education for the Southwest Region School District in Togiak, followed by four years in Koliganek.

Jones also understands the challenges students may face when deciding whether to pursue additional education or enter the workforce. He returned to school himself, earning a degree in elementary education for grades kindergarten through eight and a degree in special education for kindergarten through 12th grade. He later earned a master's degree in career and technical education. He is currently president of the Alaska Association of Career and Technical Education.

“It wasn't easy, but I persevered and went on to receive a degree in K through eight elementary teaching, along with a degree in special education K through 12,” Jones said. “I later received a master's in career and technical education. So, yes, I've seen both spectrums. I know what it is like to work in the trade, and what it takes to be in a classroom.”

The consortium has already seen multiple students complete intensives during the fall semester.

Twelve students attended the IBEW program, while six students participated in each of the heavy equipment mechanics, welding, and plumbing and steamfitting intensives.

The spring semester is expected to offer training in ironworking, Alaska metal and mechanical trades, plumbing and steamfitting, construction labor at the Pipeline Training Center, and CDL preparation.

“All these are geared toward juniors and seniors, but we are looking to offer some for sophomores,” Jones said.

The consortium also hopes to introduce an automotive mechanics intensive this spring and is exploring opportunities in health-related training.

Under the proposed health foundations pathway, students in 10th grade would complete basic first aid, CPR, and automated external defibrillator (AED) training. As juniors, they could advance to Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) training and/or medical terminology. Seniors would then have the opportunity to pursue certified nursing assistant (CNA) or emergency medical technician (EMT) training.

While the opportunities are exciting, Jones acknowledged that participation requires commitment and sometimes difficult choices.

“For example, right now we have four at the Plumbers and Pipefitters. Two of them are missing a big wrestling meet in Valdez,” Jones said. “It wasn't an easy decision, and I was impressed with the two.”

For Jones, those decisions reflect the level of dedication students are beginning to show as they explore their futures.

ARCTIC continues to build momentum, with at least one additional school district expressing interest in joining the consortium. By connecting students with industry professionals and providing opportunities to experience the trades firsthand, the partnership is creating another route for Interior Alaska students to develop practical skills and prepare for careers close to home and throughout the state.

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