Education

Alaska's Education and Workforce Training

Our pro-business policies, skilled workforce, and unparalleled connectivity to major markets in North America and Asia make investing in Alaska a smart, strategic choice. The Alaska Business Initiative is your partner in navigating the landscape of opportunity, ensuring that your business has the support, resources, and network needed to succeed in one of the most dynamic and forward-looking economies in the world.

$1.5B investment in K-12 education

$2.75M career & technical education

K-12 Education Investments and Success

Equipping Alaskans with the skills they need, starting at a young age, has been a continuous priority for our state government. This is evident through the proposed FY26 budget, which includes a total investment of $1.5 billion in K-12 Education, with $2.75 million allocated specifically to career and technical education, teacher apprenticeships, and teacher recruitment and retention initiatives.

Supporting students beyond high school, the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) helps eligible high school seniors cover the costs associated with postsecondary education in Alaska, including tuition for vocational education training and college degree programs, ensuring that Alaskans can build their future right here at home.

University Programs

Alaska's college and university system places an emphasis on skills critical to the Alaskan business ecosystem. From leading in Arctic research with hands-on learning, and specialized programs in natural resource management, engineering, healthcare, and education, graduates of Alaska's 15 university and community college campuses receive the training needed to grow local industries and support our unique economy and communities.

Whether you're a young person exploring apprenticeships, an adult seeking a career change, or a veteran building new skills, Alaska's Department of Labor and Workforce Development is here to help. Explore their employment and training services to discover the resources and opportunities that align with your goals.

Trade and Vocational Training

At the heart of Alaska's education and workforce strategy is a robust network of trade schools and training centers that expand access to high-demand career pathways across key industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy, aviation, logistics, information technology, healthcare, and marine operations.

The State of Alaska makes a substantial and sustained investment in post-secondary career and technical education through dedicated general fund support. Approximately $7 million annually is provided through the State Training and Employment Program (STEP), alongside roughly $25 million each year through the Technical and Vocational Education Program (TVEP). These funds are distributed across Alaska’s roughly dozen regional training providers and the University of Alaska, ensuring workforce training opportunities are accessible in communities across the state. A portion of STEP funding is also directed to the Alaska Job Center network to support individual training and workforce placement services.

Institutions such as the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in Seward and the Alaska Technical Center in Kotzebue exemplify the impact of these investments, offering specialized, hands-on training programs designed in close collaboration with employers. This employer-driven approach ensures graduates are equipped with the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately.

Complementing these efforts, the University of Alaska leads workforce development through its Career and Technical Education Plan (CTEP), which emphasizes individualized career preparation and targeted training aligned with current and future regional and statewide workforce needs.

Alaska's Educational Edge

Whether it's training the next generation of engineers, equipping skilled tradespeople, or preparing healthcare professionals for both rural and urban communities, Alaska's education and workforce development ecosystem is designed to meet the needs of businesses.

This state-wide commitment, from K-12 through postsecondary and vocational programs, ensures a continuous pipeline of talent that's not only prepared but purpose-built for Alaskan industries. For companies looking to invest, grow, or relocate, Alaska offers more than just opportunity; it offers a workforce that's ready on day one, with the skills, grit, and community-minded spirit to get the job done.

Alaska's Educational Edge

Alaska Resource Education (ARE) is a statewide nonprofit that helps prepare the next generation of Alaskans to understand and engage with the state's resource industries. Founded in 1982, ARE provides hands-on curriculum that connects classroom learning with Alaska's natural resources and economy. Through partnerships with local educators and leading industry professionals, ARE builds awareness of how responsible resource development and environmental stewardship can support thriving communities and sustainable growth. Its programs, which are funded through state, corporate, and individual support, align with Alaska State Science Standards ensuring relevance to both education and workforce readiness.

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