A new project to inspire the future Alaskan workforce has been initiated with focus groups across the state.
General Manager for the Alaska Industry Support Alliance says there is a significant problem for companies.
Logan: “We hear consistently from our members that 30% of the people who come to them for jobs are qualified but not eligible. They have the skill that’s necessary but they aren’t able to pass that pre-hire test, it could be that they can’t pass a drug test, they’ve got a felony record, they’ve had a dui, fit for duty.”
The Alliance, along with the Alaska Mental Health Trust, conducted focus groups with students 13-18 years-old in 2014 to gather data about what motivates and encourages them and how to help them focus on future careers.
Now Logan is traveling around the state to get feedback from communities on what more can be done and presented in Kenai today.
Logan: “I actually heard a couple of really good ideas. Someone talked about maybe since kids are saying they already have a mentor that they trust, maybe there’s value in connecting with the mentors and having them provide information.”