Workforce Development Commissioner Heidi Drygas announced Alaska has been determined as a “Zone of Underemployment”.
Drygas: “The unemployment rate in Alaska is higher than the national average. The unemployment rate in Alaska right now is 6.7%, the national average is 5.8%. So because the state of Alaska has been determined by the Research and Analysis Division of the Department of Labor as a zone of underemployment, we are able by Alaskan statute to issue this determination.”
Due to that determination, Governor Bill Walker and Commissioner Drygas said the Alaskan Hire Standards would be restored as of July 1, 2015.
Drygas: “It simply requires 90% of jobs on public construction contracts go to Alaskans. As the governor stated, there is a waiver process. Contractors can apply for a waiver in the event that they cannot find qualified Alaskans for those positions but as many of you know we have terrific apprenticeship and training opportunities here in Alaska and we’re looking to grow that.”
Walker stated in a release that this restores “a long-standing, non-partisan policy that puts Alaskans to work on important infrastructure projects.”
