Students pursuing their commercial pilot’s license are in a great place to take advantage of limited time funds Kawerak’s Board of Directors designated through specifically allocated CARES funds to try to address the pilot shortage in the Bering Strait Region. Kawerak’s Private Pilot License (PPL) scholarship provides financial support to regional tribal members* pursing education and training to become a commercial pilot. The Board of Directors recognized that obtaining a PPL presented a challenge for students on their way to becoming a commercial pilot.
Kawerak Higher Education Director Niaomi Brunette explained, ” If we want to increase the number of pilots in the region, we have to figure out what’s stopping them on the path there. We have found that students who start to pursue a career in aviation, are often impeded by the high cost of flight time. Some students attending school have scholarships to pay for classes, but the flight hours are an additional cost that most students don’t have funding to cover. Students pursuing their private pilots independently of university, don’t have many options for scholarships that cover flight time either.” The overall intent of this new scholarship is to address this stopping block.
Kawerak will issue five-$3,000 scholarships until funds run out. The funding will be used specifically for flight time and issued directly to flight training school. Interested students are encouraged to contact Kawerak to find out more information, at 907.443.4476. For more eligibility and information about the program visit kawerak.org/he. Students wishing to apply should go to my-cache.org.
Why support aviation? Aviation is one of the pathways through the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP). NACTEP highlights and supports residents pursuing careers that are in high-demand in the Bering Strait Region. “Airline pilots are needed everywhere and are in such high demand. This profession will continue to grow ten years from now,” comments James Isabell, Kawerak Regional Training Specialist. “With NACTEP we can let students know about this career, and support them in every way possible financially and otherwise if that is the pathway students choose. Other NACTEP paths include Maritime, Business & Tribal Governance, Health Careers, Construction Trades and Early Childhood Education. The program is a guide to assist students interested in these careers, and helps them in many different ways to support their success in obtaining certifications, equipment, and whatever else is needed for that career.
Kawerak has worked hard to identify barriers or challenges for regional residents that are in the way of successful careers, but it takes working together. “Our programs and organizations don’t operate in silos, and I think that is the best part,” reflects Employment and Training Director Kendra Nichols Takak. “For these strides forward, we work closely with organizational partners like NACTEC, as well as collaboratively with our own programs like Higher Education and Vocational Training to maximize resources, talents and get the job done.”
If you need assistance with training, employment, or job counseling, please reach out to Kawerak at 907-443-5231 and we can work with you to help you reach your employment goals. If you want to learn more about NACTEP please call James at 907-443-4391. For information on the aviation scholarship call Niaomi at 907-443-4476. For more eligibility and information about the program visit kawerak.org/he. Students wishing to apply should go to my-cache.org.
*Tribal members of NEC are not eligible to apply for funds due to other tribal funding opportunities
