The Alaska Job Corps Center and the Mat-Su College have a good combined history, which strengthens every year. Both programs are located in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, near Palmer Alaska.
There are many tight connections between the two facilities which both support young Alaskans. Over 20 Job Corps students have proudly graduated from the college program and there are currently have ten students enrolled. In addition the Alaska Job Corps hires Mat Su College graduates! There are 115 positions at the Job Corps and having a Mat Su Alumni is a wonderful thing. Job Corps is working events in the Culinary Services area at the college’s new theater. Sometimes Job Corps uses the college testing facilities and frequently students and staff use the well-established wonderful trail system or impressive library system. In addition the College Native Culture Club is a big draw for Job Corps students along with other events and job fairs, hosted by the College. Upper level college students intern in the various instructional capacities in the Job Corps Clinic or Tech area. In the future—Job Corps hopes to see our Building Construction Technology students help in intern “work bases” at the college plant, and in office and accounting departments.
Advanced Career Training (ACT) is when a student has successfully completed their training credentials and is wishing to receive additional education in a similar field. Most often, students then pursue as Associate’s Degree at the Mat Su Community College or move on to an advanced career certification at another Job Corps facility outside. Job Corps students have pursued college Associate degrees in Refrigeration & Heating Technology, Human Services, Computer systems Technology, General Business, Paramedical Technology, and Accounting. During their time at college, they still reside in their dorm, on the Job Corps campus, and benefit from both programs.
Often times Job Corps graduates become University of Alaska and Mat Su College graduates. And it is easy to see why. When students begin their year or two at Job Corps in Palmer, they become familiar with the College and all of its opportunities. It is not unusual for our graduate to decide to live and work in the Valley and therefore take advantage of the college’s unique program and lovely campus events.
Alaska Job Corps students live on a residential campus and therefore much of their “down time” is spent outside of the classroom, shop, or training facility. There are major recreation trips, evening programs, enrichment classes and opportunities to go to Mat Su College’s presentations, like “Fiddler on the Roof!”
Training and public service go hand in hand and as a result, community service is a functional part of the Alaska Job Corps experience. Anywhere you look, in our community, is a public service project, completed by Job Corps staff and students. Recycling, fire emergencies, park buildings, trail building, flood abatement, culinary offerings, tax help, water plant assistance, senior services, and the list is quite endless. Job Corps believes that it is good practice to work for ones’ community at every level.
The Alaskan Job Corps is a federally funded education and training center, operated by Chugach Alaska Corporation. Over 230 students attend this program in one of the following nine career areas: Business Administration, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Electrical, Protective Services, Water Waste Water, Accounting, Building Construction Technology (BCT) or Nursing Assistants.