A vocational school on Prince of Wales Island will see a substantial expansion next year with the help of state funding.
The Generations Southeast Prince of Wales Campus in Klawock received a grant worth more than $1 million earlier this year through the Alaska Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP).
Catherine Muñoz, Commissioner of the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development, said during a panel at Southeast Conference in Ketchikan on Wednesday that the program aims to develop the statewide workforce and support economic sustainability in Alaska.
“The goal is to get more awareness around the many opportunities, career opportunities and training opportunities in the state,” she said.
The vocational learning center in Klawock is one of nine learning centers across the state that are part of the TVEP program.
Muñoz said the state is also partnering with the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida. The regional Alaska Native organization took over management of the vocational school on Prince of Wales Island last year. Currently, there are two full-time administrative staff at the center. Muñoz said that thanks to the support of the state’s vocational training center in Seward, they will be able to expand that capacity.
“So we envision bringing instructors down to Prince of Wales Island to support the training that will be occurring there,” she said.
The initial $1.1 million grant will go into effect next year. The center plans to offer training initiatives in areas like engine repair, construction, heavy-duty equipment operations, accounting, and maritime navigation.
