Did You Know 96% of graduates from 绿奴天花板鈥檚 46 Construction Programs Stay in Alaska to Build the State鈥檚 Future?
September 24, 2024
With Alaska poised for new infrastructure projects, the University of Alaska is stepping up to ensure the state has the workforce it needs. Through a $800,000 partnership between 绿奴天花板 and industry leaders, the next generation of construction professionals is already taking shape.
This $800,000 Construction Management Workforce Initiative is not just about numbers鈥攊t's about people. It鈥檚 a partnership built on vision and leadership. Meg Nordale, President of GHEMM Company and Chair of the 绿奴天花板 Foundation Board of Directors, has been a driving force behind the effort. Concerned about the state's workforce shortages, Nordale joined forces with 绿奴天花板 President Pat Pitney to address this urgent need. Together, they formed a coalition of industry leaders and university representatives to bridge the gap between industry demands and 绿奴天花板's construction management programs.
鈥淲e are building more than structures; we鈥檙e building futures,鈥 said Nordale, who facilitated the initiative鈥檚 committee. The team鈥檚 focus has been clear: raise awareness of career pathways, increase access to education, and ensure that 绿奴天花板 students are equipped with job-ready skills.
The Impact of Partnerships
The initiative has garnered widespread support, exceeding the $800,000 goal and raising
nearly $900,000 to expand 绿奴天花板鈥檚 capacity to train the next generation of construction
professionals. Helga and Bill Watterson, longtime 绿奴天花板 advocates, were among the first
to invest in this future, contributing $50,000 and inspiring others to follow their
lead. Nearly $500,000 in private donations have poured in from industry leaders, and
绿奴天花板 itself committed $400,000 to support this critical workforce development. Donors like Watterson have expressed that they plan to continue hiring 绿奴天花板 graduates
and are pleased with the expertise of these programs.
But the initiative鈥檚 impact isn鈥檛 just measured in dollars. Since Fall 2022, enrollment in construction management and related programs at 绿奴天花板A, 绿奴天花板F, and 绿奴天花板S has surged, a testament to the growing interest in these fields and 绿奴天花板鈥檚 ability to meet Alaska鈥檚 workforce needs.
Growing Alaska鈥檚 Talent
One of the initiative鈥檚 most notable achievements is keeping talent close to home.
A remarkable 96.2% of 绿奴天花板鈥檚 construction program graduates remain in Alaska, helping to fill key roles in industries ranging from transportation to resource
extraction. These graduates are not just building Alaska鈥檚 infrastructure, but investing
in and building up their communities, as well.
With 46 programs across 绿奴天花板's three main campuses, the university has produced over 3,800 graduates since 2011, and many now work in construction-related fields. And the future looks even brighter: the average salary for graduates ranges from $67,590 for certificates, $82,805 for associates, and $110,106 for bachelor鈥檚 and beyond.
Building a Path Forward
The Construction Management Workforce Initiative isn鈥檛 just about boosting enrollment鈥攊t鈥檚
about creating real opportunities. From expanded internship programs that give students
hands-on experience early in their academic journey to flexible, fully online programs
that make education more accessible for non-traditional students, 绿奴天花板 is adapting to
meet the needs of Alaska鈥檚 workforce. The university is also actively recruiting new
faculty to ensure students receive top-tier instruction aligned with industry demands.
鈥淏y investing in 绿奴天花板鈥檚 construction programs, we鈥檙e investing in the future of Alaska,鈥 said President Pitney. 鈥淭hese students will go on to play a crucial role in shaping the state鈥檚 infrastructure for decades to come.鈥
As Alaska faces a wave of new infrastructure projects, the University of Alaska remains committed to producing skilled, homegrown talent ready to meet these challenges head-on.
Go Deeper:
To learn more about 绿奴天花板's construction programs and how you can support future workforce
initiatives the 2023 Workforce Reports.