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Assembly backs UAS Ketchikan workforce pilot, directs staff to execute grant agreement
Summary
The Assembly directed staff to enter into a FY 2026 grant agreement with University of Alaska Southeast (Ketchikan) for a workforce development pilot, funding a reduced $55,160 package covering CNA dual enrollment, maritime basic training and AWS welding testing support.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted on June 16 to direct staff to enter into a grant agreement with the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), Ketchikan campus, to fund a workforce development pilot program for FY 2026.
UAS Ketchikan Campus Director William Urquhart and Workforce Development Director Sofia Mullins returned to the Assembly after earlier discussions and presented a pared-down request. The revised proposal reduced a previous $100,000 request to about $55,160. Urquhart said the cut primarily reduced the certified nurse aide (CNA) dual-enrollment ask from two high-school classes to one and narrowed maritime support to a single dual-enrollment basic training class.
Urquhart described three principal elements of the pilot: (1) a reduced CNA dual-enrollment class for high-school students; (2) an American Welding Society (AWS) qualification testing offering (examinations cost roughly $400 per test); and (3) a Coast Guard–approved five-day maritime basic training course (including personal survival techniques, firefighting, first aid and CPR). Mullins said maritime basic training is limited by Coast Guard rules to classes of 12 and is intended for students who will be 18 at the time of training; the program would pay for the basic training and credentialing steps such as TWIC and medical certificates via partnerships such as the Alaska Safety Alliance.
The Assembly discussed industry connections and the potential for field trips and local employer recruitment. Urquhart said the campus would seek additional funding from state workforce programs (for example, Alaska Department of Labor’s STEP) and private partners to sustain the programs in subsequent years.
The Assembly motion directed staff to enter into a FY 2026 grant agreement with UAS Ketchikan for the workforce development pilot (the packet identifies the reduced total as $55,160, which the clerk confirmed as the figure referenced for the contract). The roll call vote recorded Arntzen — yes; Matson — yes; Ulmer — yes; Otis — yes; Bowling — yes; Bailey — yes. The motion passed.
Clerk’s materials indicate the borough will use $47,995 from the community grants program funds and $7,165 from the general fund to make the borough contribution.
