Shareholder Opportunities Event: Free Training, Scholarship Info and More for STEM and Technical Career Fields
Thursday, January 27, 2022

A virtual event for shareholders and descendants on Wednesday, Jan. 26 highlighted several immediate, jobs-ready educational and training opportunities for shareholders at low or no cost.

“We’re excited to be providing a wide range of career and training opportunities that align with the lifestyles and preferences of our shareholders,” said Sealaska President and CEO Anthony Mallott. “Many of our shareholders aren’t looking for a 9-5 job. They might be a traditional harvester or have other responsibilities. These are opportunities that fit those lifestyles and skill sets. We’re excited to be offering these programs.”

The event recording is available here. Below is a summary of the career and training opportunities presented during the event. For more information, contact Sealaska’s Senior Director of Shareholder Development Tesla Cox at tesla.cox@sealaska.com.

  1. FREE Protected Species / Marine Mammal Observer Training – REGISTER BY FEB. 15; TRAINING FEB. 17-18
  2. Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association Crew Training/Apprenticeship Program
  3. University of Alaska Southeast STEM Scholarships – APPLICATION DEADLINE FEB. 15
  4. University of Alaska Southeast Career Programs – Various Programs in Industries Like Mining and Health Care  
  5.  ICYMI: Jan. 19 Shareholder Development Opportunities Event: Scholarships, Internships, Board Youth Advisor

1. FREE Protected Species / Marine Mammal Observer Training – REGISTER BY FEB. 15; TRAINING FEB. 17-18

Sealaska has contracted with Tacoma, WA-based environmental consulting firm Grette and Associates to provide an unlimited number of shareholders, descendants and family members a free two-day training opportunity Feb. 17-18 to become a certified Protected Species Observer (PSO).

PSOs work on construction sites or as part of environmental survey teams to count and monitor federally protected species of like walrus, orcas and humpback whales.

PSOs visually survey the work area and notify construction contractors if there is noise or other impacts on protected species. Traditional Indigenous knowledge is an accepted substitute for a bachelor’s degree. Sealaska shareholders who complete the two-day training will be certified as Protected Species Observers, ready upon completion to go to work in coastal communities from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico, including in rural villages. Work is available on a project basis and could range from a few weeks of dayshift work on a construction site to months away at sea.

PSO work is well paid and can also provide an entry opportunity to related careers including environmental consulting/permitting, fisheries management, sciences, outreach and education, teaching.

  • The training will be held via Zoom Thursday and Friday, Feb. 17-18 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m Alaska time, with several breaks.
  • Registration closes at 5 p.m. Alaska time on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
  • Register here.
  • Questions? contact Sealaska’s Senior Director of Shareholder Development Tesla Cox at tesla.cox@sealaska.com or 907-465-7180

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2. Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association Crew Training/Apprenticeship Program

Sealaska is partnering with the Alaska Longline Fisherman’s Association (ALFA) to bring crew training opportunities to shareholders. The ALFA program is an apprenticeship, placing entry-level fishing industry hires with little to no prior experience on boats with experienced skippers to learn the trade safely and professionally.

The apprenticeships vary in length, from a few days to the full season, and are available on different types of boats including longliners, trollers and purse seiners.

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3. University of Alaska Southeast STEM Scholarships – APPLICATION DEADLINE FEB. 15

There are approximately 10 scholarships for Alaska Native and rural students through a National Science Foundation scholarship program at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. Alaska Native students in majors like biology, fisheries, environmental resources management, environmental science and math are eligible for awards averaging $6,700 per year and up to $10,000 per year for up to four years based on need. In combination with a Sealaska scholarship (applications are now being accepted), this could significantly reduce the financial burden of a four-year degree. The program also provides individual development planning, career pathways counseling and peer support.

  • Deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 15 for Fall 2022 semester
  • To apply: Applicants who complete both forms below are automatically flagged by enrollment officers for this program if they are Alaska Native and demonstrate financial need. No other steps or applications are required.

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4. University of Alaska Southeast Career Programs – Industries Like Mining and Construction

GENERAL: The University of Alaska Southeast’s Technical Education Center has a variety of options for free or reduced-priced training in industries like mining, construction, health sciences and welding. For more information, visit uas.alaska.edu/career_ed/.

MINING: Mines in Southeast including Hecla Greens Creek Mine and Kensington Mine are heavily subsidizing training in fields like power/diesel technology and mechanics because there is a shortage of workers and they prefer to hire local. Kensington is providing scholarships, wages and healthcare for students studying mechanics because they are so badly needed. There’s also an on-ramp program for high school students with scholarship support from Hecla that covers nearly the entire cost of the program.

HEALTH SCIENCES: There is high demand for health-care workers nationwide right now due to the pandemic and other factors. Training for high-demand nursing jobs like certified nurse’s aides, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), registered nurses, physical therapists and more require no more than two years of education, and some much less. Training is available in Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan and also online. These trainings most likely lead to being immediately hired and starting a career.

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5. ICYMI: Jan. 19 Shareholder Development Opportunities Event: Scholarships, Internships, Board Youth Advisor

On Wednesday, Jan. 19 Sealaska hosted another virtual event focused on the Sealaska scholarship program, internships and the Board Youth Advisor. To learn more about any of these programs, or to apply, please visit the links below or watch the video recording of the event here.

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