FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2021
Contact:
Danielle Slingsby, Kawerak Inc. Outreach
dslingsby@kawerak.org, (907) 434-0518
New Grant Expands Job Development Opportunities for Bering Strait Region from Middle School to Adults
Kawerak Inc. was recently awarded a 5 year Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP) grant. Each year approximately $550,000 will support education and training opportunities in the technical trades and employment readiness skills through Kawerak and Kawerak’s strong partnership with the Northwestern Alaska Carer and Technical Center (NACTEC). The program, entitled ‘Pathways Advancing Technical Trades & Employment Readiness Now’ aims to develop a technically skilled workforce for in-demand occupations in the Bering Strait Region.
The program pathway naturally begins with career exploration in middle school, leading them to develop personal learning and career plans. There are six (6) regional career pathways students can pursue through the program: Business & Tribal Governance, Construction Trades, Health Careers, Early Childhood Development, Maritime and Aviation Careers. These focus areas represent high need and in-demand occupations in the region. If students select these areas of interest, they have the ability to take focused secondary courses and dual credit opportunities throughout their schooling.
To increase later success in the workforce, students will take courses addressing study and employability skills, as well as coordinated transitions from secondary to post-secondary. After graduation work-based learning and additional training opportunities will be provided to address any gaps or certification needs to increase employability in the chosen industry.
However, pathway access does not have to start at the beginning! Employment and Training program also will work with adults who are in the workforce or wishing to enter the workforce. Through the NACTEP program adults who wish to advance in their career path, or along one of the career paths can receive support with training scholarships, job placement and work-based learning activities coordinated by Kawerak staff. Tribal members begin the program after obtaining an industry recognized credential, or 12 credits in a degree seeking program. If they don’t have these starting steps, working with Employment and Training’s other services and partners can get them there.
“The idea behind this program is a long-term commitment to valuable employment advancement opportunities,” states Kendra Nichols-Takak, Kawerak’s Employment and Training Director. “It’s not a one and done training program. We are here to help them succeed along the way, and connect them with the resources and opportunities they need to advance in their career choice.”
To execute the grant, along with partnering with NACTEC, additional post-secondary education and training providers will also work to deliver the courses. By the end of the five (5) years the team will have trained over 1,300 career-ready students. If you are interested and would like to find out more information about the NACTEC portion of the program please contact NACTEC Program Coordinator Kevin Busk at 443-3507 or kevinbusk@bssd.org. If you would like to find out more opportunities for adult training and the NACTEP grant for adults, please contact Kawerak’s Employment and Training Department, 1-800-450-4341.
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Kawerak Inc. acts in accordance with its mission, to advance the capacity of our people and tribes for the benefit of the region. Kawerak is a nonprofit tribal consortium that provides over 40 different programs to the Inupiaq, St. Lawrence Island Yupik and Yup’ik people who reside in 16 communities of western Alaska and represents the 20 federally recognized tribes in the Bering Strait Region.
