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AVTEC seeks extra electrical instructor and facility repairs to expand industrial electrical training
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Summary
The department proposed adding a second industrial electrical instructor at AVTEC and said roof repairs already funded would be needed to support expansion; AVTEC director described faculty-recruitment challenges and said only the industrial electrical faculty position is currently open.
Corey Ortiz, the new director of the Alaska Vocational Technical Center, told the House Finance subcommittee on Jan. 31 that AVTEC could expand its industrial electrical offerings with additional instructors but that facility work and space constraints matter.
Ortiz said the industrial electrical building has structural concerns that must be addressed to meet snow-load requirements before a larger expansion. “If we had multiple, 2 additional faculty, we probably could so long as we have the funding to, shore up the roof so we can meet the snow load requirements,” Ortiz said.
Dan DiBartolo told the committee the governor has asked agencies to expand electrical and plumbing training and that the department’s FY 2026 request includes funding for a second industrial electrical instructor. DiBartolo said AVTEC is full in the industrial electrical program and that officials are assessing student lab space needs; he told the committee the department hopes to provide more information in the coming weeks.
AVTEC staffing challenges: Ortiz and committee members discussed recruitment challenges for faculty who leave industry to teach, which can mean a relative salary reduction. Ortiz said the only open faculty position at AVTEC at the moment is in the industrial electrical program, and that attracting experienced instructors is an ongoing difficulty.
Student housing and enrollment: DiBartolo said AVTEC dorms have been filling again after pandemic declines and that enrollment increases have improved TVEP-related revenue volatility concerns. Committee members asked for enrollment and residential-capacity numbers for follow-up.
Why it matters: Alaska has acute shortages in building trades, notably electrical workers for transmission and construction projects. Expanding AVTEC capacity could increase training pipeline for journeyman electricians but requires funding for personnel and facility upgrades.
Ending: The department proposed adding an instructor and said roof repairs are already funded through deferred maintenance; committee members asked for enrollment and housing capacity numbers as follow-up.
