Blog Archives

Focus on CTE Month: AVTEC Provides a Variety of Training Programs

2/17/2015

AVTEC, located in Seward, is a postsecondary career and technical training center administered by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. AVTEC's mission is to train a diverse and effective workforce that supports the economic growth and stability of our state.

AVTEC's recent newsletter highlights Women in Welding, WIA Youth grant program, tax credit donations from local businesses, and more!

Read the entire newsletter here: http://wl1.peer360.com/b/P2al6KP4Lf126cG8805F/main.asp?hl=102035224&r=FHJIGJG

Focus on CTE Month: Mat-Su Culinary Teams Shine in State Competition

2/13/2015

The Mat-Su Frontiersman reports that Mat-Su Career Tech High School culinary students won the 2015 Alaska ProStart Invitational, while the Palmer High team finished third. Both teams earned college scholarships for their awesome performances. Congratulations to these CTE students- a great way to celebrate CTE Month!

Read the entire article at http://www.frontiersman.com/content/tncms/live/#.

Focus on CTE Month: The Value of Occupational Credentials

2/9/2015

The Atlantic Monthly's story "Getting Credit for What you Know" points out the value of "middle-skill" credentials and certifications.

"Welcome to the world of competency-based alternative credentials, sometimes known as occupational certifications. They’re increasingly common in many fields, including IT, advanced manufacturing, health care, the energy sector, even hospitality and retail."

The article goes on to say that, "According to the Census Bureau, some 5 percent of American adults hold occupational certifications. And alternative credentialing is poised to transform American education—driving students and employers in many fields to focus on outcomes and competency, rather than seat time and institutional prestige."

Read the entire story at The Atlantic Monthly.

The Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education Employment (CPSEE) has conducted research on the value of non-degree certificates in two states. Results indicate that "certificates have positive impacts on earnings in both states overall, and in cases where there is no impact on earnings, certificates may nonetheless lead to increased probability of employment or to other benefits." Visit the CPSEE website for more information.

Focus on CTE Month: Kent Winship, CTE Instructor, UAF Bristol Bay Campus

2/6/2015

“Now I can’t imagine my life without teaching. I find it very rewarding and believe the students reap many benefits from it.” – Kent Winship, UAF Bristol Bay Campus

During 2014 Kent Winship completed his first full year as term instructor for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus Construction Academy. He brings 35-years of residential and commercial carpentry experience into the classroom and Kent’s enthusiasm for CTE spills over into everything he does as evidenced by the growing numbers of students in the program.

His successful reputation has grown amongst his peers in the Bristol Bay region and Kent is now teaching courses in multiple communities. Last summer he partnered with Dillingham High School to deliver a program allowing students to earn dual credit as they worked toward completion of an occupational endorsement, paving the way for entry level jobs in construction upon completion. Kent’s outreach also extends beyond the Bristol Bay region. At last year’s Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) fall conference he networked with University of Alaska Anchorage Kodiak Campus. They learned their programs are similar and are now collaborating to make improvements.

Kent especially enjoys observing the growth of students, like Max Bennett, who embraced the skills he learned over a summer course and has gone on to use the 3-dimensional scanner and 3d print fetal orca whale bones recovered from the Nushagak River.

His enthusiasm for helping students is extraordinary and creates results. The students not only complete the spring and summer Construction Trades courses with skills that regularly land them good jobs in the field, they also earn an:

Occupational Endorsement in Basic Carpentry (15.5 dual high school and college credits)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-hour card
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core card

At last fall’s Alaska ACTE Professional Development Conference he was recognized for his positive and energetic attitude, and his influence on the lives of many young adults entering the world of work by being awarded the Outstanding New CTE Teacher! Congratulations, Kent, and thank you for allowing us to feature your success story this quarter.

If you are interested in networking with Kent, you can contact him at 907-843-1776 or kwinship@alaska.edu.

Download this entire article in PDF format.

To read more CTE Success Stories, visit our Celebrate Success webpage!

Focus on CTE Month: Economists Say Millennials Should Consider Careers in Trades

2/3/2015

As part of its New Boom series on millennials in America, NPR focuses on apprenticeships in this story by Chris Arnold.

"As the economy continues to recover, economists are seeing stark differences between people with high school and college degrees. The unemployment rate is nearly twice as high for Americans with a high school diploma as for those with a four-year college degree or more. But economists say that doesn't mean everybody needs a four-year degree. In fact, millions of good-paying jobs are opening up in the trades. And some pay better than what the average college graduate makes.”

To read the entire story, visit this link.

For more information on apprenticeship opportunities in Alaska, visit http://www.jobs.state.ak.us/apprentice/.

Governor Walker Proclaims February asCTE Month in Alaska!

2/1/2015

Alaska CTE Month 2015

Governor Bill Walker has proclaimed February as CTE Month in Alaska!

Thanks go out to the Alaska Association for Career & Technical Education (Alaska ACTE) for requesting this proclamation.

For a PDF copy of the proclamation, click on the graphic or use this download link.

To read the proclamation on the state website, please visit http://gov.alaska.gov/-Walker/press-room/full-proclamation.html?pr=7066.

Let us know how you are celebrating CTE Month, and for more information about CTE and CTE Month in Alaska, visit our Get Involved! webpage.