Campaigns target workers who can field varying jobs BY HARRY WHITED Young Alaskans are leaving the state. Alaska’s population has steadily declined since 2022, according to multiple sources. One of the reasons for the “outmigration” of young people in Alaska is the lack of jobs and career opportunities. Adam Weinert, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, said that the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has conducted several media campaigns focusing on the careers and jobs available to young Alaskans through the Alaska Job Center Network. “We did a digital campaign and are now engaged in a radio campaign in rural Alaska communities to raise awareness of the career and training support offered through our Job Centers,” Weinert said. This campaign is just one of many campaigns targeted to instill a reason to stay and work in Alaska. Weinert said other organizations and campaigns in the state have pursued this same mission: The Alaska Vocational and Technical Center conducted a two-month TV media campaign to increase awareness of careers and education that can be provided through the AVTEC The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development partnered with the DOWLD and is in the process of hiring “career guides” in Fairbanks, Bethel, and Ketchikan. These guides will work in their communities, both local and surrounding, to engage with high school youth about career opportunities in Alaska. Weinert said the DOWLD’s in-state advertising campaigns target youth, ages 18-35. The goal is the same for everyone: To get people to stay and allow them to flourish within the state. Weinert explained why he thinks Alaska is facing a large outmigration and the rough blueprint to combat it. “Many young people seek educational and career opportunities elsewhere. To address this, we are working to improve the visibility and accessibility of local opportunities through targeted outreach and partnerships with educational institutions,” Weinert said. However, it is not just an abundance of jobs that is necessary to attract young people to the state. There are other variables. Weinert detailed some of these other amenities from a recent AEDC economic forecast. “(The forecast) suggested the need for enhancing the quality of life, including affordable housing, social amenities and robust career pathways; all crucial in retaining young Alaskans,” Weinert said. But why young Alaskans? When it comes to creating jobs and building careers why is there a large push to bring in a younger crowd? Weinert said that Alaska is a great place for a young person to have a career. “There are great industries to participate in that allow a person to succeed in their career while enjoying all that Alaska has to offer,” Weinert said. Alaska does offer advantages for the young and the eager. On Facebook, there is a group called Anchorage History where people can post pictures of nostalgic Alaska locations and have discussions about them. However, one trend observed in that group is that people will commonly post pictures of either themselves or their parents when they first moved to Alaska. In these pictures, the people look young and happy, either in front of their tiny new house or packed into a car that is filled with all of their earthly belongings. They are on the cusp of a completely new life, one filled with promise. These energetic and enthusiastic people helped contribute to Alaska’s growth. Campaigns targeted at keeping youth are vital to Alaska’s progression. The presence of jobs and opportunities THE LINK: OCTOBER 2024 28 State aiming to keep young Alaskans here Alaska has always been a place where young adults can find work and adventure.
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