Partners for Progress in Delta, Inc. emerged in response to a demand for education and training to create a skilled workforce in the greater Delta area to meet the needs of the Department of Defense and the installation of a ground-based missile defense system at Fort Greely. Other projects requiring a skilled workforce in the area include the development of the Pogo Mine, possible railroad extension and a natural gasline project, along with public construction of roads, military housing and improvements to the school district facilities. The educational consortium incorporated in 2007 and was named a state Regional Training Center in 2008.
Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. (AWP)
Alaska Works Partnership provides information about construction and maintenance registered apprenticeship programs, assistance with applications for apprenticeship programs, employment and training plans, assistance for women to prepare for construction jobs and apprenticeships, and support for Veterans and those leaving military services who want to work in construction. AWP also provides custom intensive courses for people who need pre-vocational training for employment in construction. Courses concentrate on technical math, occupational safety, health and residential carpentry. Working with AWP the past six years, Alaska's four "pipeline" unions-the Operating Engineers Local 302, Laborers Local 942, Plumbers, Pipefitters Local 375 and Teamsters Local 959-have offered annual pipeline-training programs. The training provides individual training combined with joint multi-craft exercises. An emphasis is placed on safety and the environment. For more information about AWP see www.alaskaworks.org.
Cooperative Extension Service (CES) University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)
The Cooperative Extension Service joined the Partners for Progress in Delta, Inc. in 2006 to strengthen the University of Alaska Fairbanks' educational capacity in the area and increase collaborative efforts for program delivery. Extension serves some 60,000 Alaskans annually, interpreting and extending relevant research-based university knowledge in a usable form to Alaska's diverse people and communities. CES has educators, faculty, and staff located throughout the state and in affiliate offices with the Tanana Chiefs Conference, Eielson Air Force Base, Thorne Bay and the Delta Mine Training Center. Major program areas include agriculture and natural resources, community resource and economic development, home economics and consumer science, 4-H and youth development, and housing and energy. Delta is the site of an active CES pest management program and high interest and participation in the Cold Climate construction classes. Check out CES at www.ces.uaf.edu.
Delta Mine Training Center (DMTC)
Established in 1998 to address the issue of local hire for mineral industry jobs, the Delta Mining Training Center has helped prepare Alaskans for jobs in mining and mineral exploration throughout Alaska. Delta Junction currently offers the only fully functional mine training facility in the state through DMTC, including an on-site dorm for cost-efficient training. DMTC has, and continues to play a major role in training entry-level miners for Teck-Pogo. Students who enroll in the programs offered through the DMTC receive the training and certifications required for employment in the occupations they are pursuing. Currently, mineral development is rapidly expanding in Alaska and there is a nationwide shortage of workers in this field. Delta Mine Training Center offers the training needed for Alaskans to be competitive for a range of mineral industry occupations. The training is hands-on and meets the rigorous standards of the mineral industry. More about DMTC can be found at www.dmtcalaska.org.
Delta/Greely High School (DHS) Delta/Greely School District (DGSD)
A National Center for Construction, Education and Research (NCCER) certified instructor teaches a sequence of six specific topics that are part of the Construction Trades (CT) core curriculum covering everything from basic math to use of tools, safety and essential residential construction skills. The Delta/Greely High School'sigh School's Construction Trades program has established a successful mock interview program for high school seniors selected for interviews with industry and/or the Trades. The program and the summer academies have resulted in direct placements with apprenticeship programs; and many other participants have been hired by local and state construction-related businesses. The DGSD is introducing middle school students to the Construction Trades program through visits to the DCAC facility and the high school CT program was expanded in the fall of 2008 to include 10th grade in addition to 11th and 12th grades. DGSD can be found at www.dgsd.k12.ak.us.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College (UAF CTC)
University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College(UAF CTC) UAF CTC provides a broad range of career advancement courses and programs leading to certificate and associate degrees. For this partnership, it offers academic credit and custom non-credit classes at the DCAC. Serving Delta since 2003, the college offers classes ranging from computer applications, applied business, and communication, to AutoCAD, English, Anthropology, and American Sign Language. UAF CTC is prepared to extend academic credit and continuing education credits for approved vocational/technical courses, including Applied Mining Technology, Process Technology, Drafting Technology, Welding and Materials Technology as well as Trades and Technology. The new portable welding equipment funded with support from the Rasmuson Foundation made it possible to offer the first adult welding classes in 2008. UAF CTC continues to work with the DGSD to articulate new Tech Prep Agreements that will offer UAF credits to secondary students. More information about UAF CTC can be found at www.ctc.uaf.edu.
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Delta Career Advancement Center
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