Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan
Setting the Context
Developing a Qualified Workforce
and the
Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan
Organization
City, Alaska
Date
Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan
Workforce Readiness
Only 1 in 5 jobs in Alaska
requires a college degree
However . . .
60 percent of all jobs in the next
decade
will require more than a high school
diploma
Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan
Workforce Development System
. . . the education, employment,
and job-training efforts designed
to help employers get a skilled workforce
well as to help individuals
to succeed in the workplace.
Source: National Governors Association
Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan
Workforce Development System
Investing in Alaska’s Talent Pipeline:
• $1.25 Billion for K-12 education
• $0.9 Billion for University of Alaska
• $27.5 Million in Workforce
Development
• Still more in vocational
rehabilitation, income replacement,
adult basic education, and other reemployment services
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Industry Advisory Committee
Kris Norosz, Co-chair
Icicle Seafoods, Inc.
Jason Custer
City of Saxman
Julie Decker
United Fishermen of
Alaska/Alaska Fisheries
Development Foundation
Russell Dick and
Anthony Lindoff
Haa Aani, LLC
Aggie Fouts
Western Alaska Community
Development Association
Steve Reifenstuhl
Northern Southeast Regional
Aquaculture Association
Kurt Hallier
Conoco Phillips
Jim Scholz
Samson Tug and Barge
Oliver Holm
Kodiak Seafood Harvester
Pearl Strub
Bristol Bay Economic
Development Corporation
Stephanie Madsen
At-sea Processors
Association
Vince O’Shea
Pacific Seafood Processors
Association
Doug Ward
Vigor Alaska
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University of Alaska FSMI Leadership Group
Paula Cullenberg, Co-chair
Alaska Sea Grant,
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Gunnar Knapp
Institute of Social and Economic Research,
University of Alaska Anchorage
Fred Villa, Co-chair
Workforce Programs, University of Alaska
Bonnie Nygard
Workforce Programs, University of Alaska
Anchorage
Michael Castellini
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences,
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Richard Caulfield
Provost, University of Alaska Southeast
Pete Pinney
College of Rural and Community
Development,
University of Alaska Fairbanks
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Participating State Leadership and Agencies
Sen. Lyman Hoffman
Tim Grussendorf
Alaska State Senate
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Timothy Clark
Alaska House of Representatives
Wanetta Ayers
Alaska Department of Labor and
Workforce Development
Glenn Haight and Joe Jacobson
Alaska Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development
Candice Bressler and
Sheila Cameron
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Amy Wilson
Alaska Marine Highway System,
Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities
Helen Merhkens
Alaska Department of Education
and Early Development
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Methodology
A two-year collaborative process initiated in 2011 as the Fisheries, Seafood, and Maritime
Initiative, led by the Industry Advisory Committee with support from the University of Alaska
FSMI Leadership Group and participation from five state agencies.


Inventory of maritime
related training
Gap analysis of
educational and training
needs

Industry forums

Leadership meetings



Occupational needs
assessments for four
sectors
Identified priority
occupations and skillsets
Developed strategic plan
to enhance Alaska’s
maritime workforce
See the FSMI Web site for additional information and working documents:
www.alaska.edu/fsmi
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Alaska’s Maritime Workforce
A l a s k a M a r i t i m e Wo r k f o r c e D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n
Estimated Maritime Workforce by Sub-sectors
Sub-Sector
# Workers
Percent
Resident
# of
Resident
Workers
Average
Age
Commercial Fishing
30,980
56
17,349
N/A
Seafood Processing
22,412
27
6,051
40
Water Transportation
4,056
62
2,515
39
Sportfish Guiding
3,034
72
2,184
N/A
Boat Building/Repair
693
76
527
38
Salmon Hatcheries
456
64
292
37
Marine
Engineering/Surveying
183
85
156
40
5,641
N/A
5,077
N/A
68,042
N/A
34,150
N/A
ADFG, USCG, NMFS
Total
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Workforce Analysis
Cross-cutting and
Essential Skills of the
Maritime Workforce
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Priority Occupations by Sector
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Priority Occupations: Seafood Harvesting
• Commercial Seafood Harvester
(permit holders and crewmembers)
• Vessel Repair and Maintenance Service Provider
(outlined under marine occupations)
• Shellfish Farmer
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Priority Occupations: Seafood Processing
• Seafood Plant and Floating Processor
Engineer
• Refrigeration Engineer and Technician
• Seafood Production Manager
• Electrician
• Can Machinist
• Quality Control and Assurance Manager
and Technician
• Baader Technician
• Seafood Plant Manager
• Deckhand (see Marine Occupations)
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Priority Occupations:
Research, Enhancement & Management
• Biometrician
• Fish and Wildlife Technician
• Fishery Biologist
• Fisheries Scientist
•
• Fish and Game Coordinator
• Fishery Economist, Analyst,
and Management Specialist
• Fishery Management Specialist – NOAA
• Hatchery Manager
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Priority Occupations:
Marine Occupations and Support Industries
• Ship Building
• Vessel Operations: Deckhand, Vessel Engineer, Captain
• Vessel Repair and Maintenance Service Provider
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Maritime Workforce
Overarching
Development Strategies
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Maritime Workforce Development Strategies
1. Grow Awareness of Maritime Occupations and Develop Career Pathways
1.1 Develop and inventory of occupations to be marketed
1.2 Increase public awareness of maritime occupations and opportunities
1.3 Gather and align maritime workforce data to leverage existing career exploration
and job search tools in the state.
1.4 Implement career pathways methodology in the K-12 system and beyond
1.5 Create maritime workforce curriculum, activities and experiential opportunities
for youth and adults
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Maritime Workforce Development Strategies
2. Improve Workforce Readiness
2.1 Improve workforce readiness through improved math skills
2.2 Increase awareness about behavior and life choices that may limit employment
2.3 Enhance career readiness skills in both youth and adults
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Maritime Workforce Development Strategies
3. Train Alaskans for Maritime Careers
3.1 Identify gaps in training and education for highest priority occupations
3.2 Develop programs in Alaska to fill education and training gaps
3.3 Improve access to training/education programs
3.4 Coordinate program development, use existing resources, coordinate delivery
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Maritime Workforce Development Strategies
4. Support Recruitment and Retention
4.1 Promote programs that increase resident participation in maritime industries,
including underrepresented demographic groups
4.2 Regularly review and compile compensation data
4.3 Reinvigorate and broaden the DLWD Seafood Industry Advisory Committee
4.4 Leverage information and communication technology to extend the reach of the
Alaska Job Center Network
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Maritime Workforce Development Strategies
5. Promote Sustained Industry Engagement
5.1 Gain support for the plan from the Alaska Workforce Investment Board
5.2 Employ a coordinator to support implementation of the plan
5.3 Continue the role of the IAC to guide and direct implementation of the plan
5.4 Achieve one to two priorities for each sector within the next 12 – 24 months
5.5 Engage Labor, Commerce, and Education in early implementation
5.6 Engage with UA and other education and training providers
5.7 Improve maritime sector workforce data
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Maritime Workforce Development Strategies
Industry Advisory Committee’s 12-18 Month Focus Areas (end of 2015)
Overarching Strategy
Grow Awareness of Maritime Occupations and Develop Career Pathways
Occupations
Marine Refrigeration
Vessel Maintenance & Repair
Marine Engineering and Licensing