Since January 2003, more than 100 students completed the DGSD High School Construction Trades Program. In addition, we have completed five highly successful summer academies-three in heavy equipment operation and two welding academies. Between the high school CT program and these academies, participants have benefited from direct placement into apprenticeships with the Trades (Operating Engineers Local 302, IBEW Local 1545 and Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 375); many others are competing for jobs in construction-related businesses, including local businesses with contracts at Fort Greely.
More than 800 area residents have been taking university classes earning credit toward degrees or certificates through programming offered by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College.
With Pogo Mine underway, Delta Mine Training Center has been reaching hundreds more who aim to qualify for emerging mine-related jobs.
Students represent a broad cross-section of the community-from high school aged to mid-fifties and older. Participants in the intensive academies held to date have focused on ages 17-24. Students come from Delta and Fort Greely, Fairbanks, Tok, Tetlin, Mentasta, Allakaket, Barrow, Glennallen and North Pole for custom classes, such as the highly successful Introduction to Archaeological Fieldwork, a collaborative project with the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Wainwright, and summer academies.