The Alaska Job Corps program is more than a daily eight hour training program, five days a week. Both after class and on weekends, students continue to participate in leisure time activities with a purpose. Last weekend several students joined AKJCC Career Prep Instructor on an ascent of Matanuska Peak, 6119’. This is a strenuous 7.5 mile hike with a fairly steep trail.

A major mountain climb like this demands practice, endurance, attention, compassion, and tenacity. All these qualities are learned through experience and mentoring. And all of these skills create solid citizens and excellent employees.

Hiking through the forest, climbing over the rocks, and traipsing through wide mountain meadows of blueberry fields each has specific joys and challenges. But the final climb into the sky, on the hardback ridges was especially difficult. Likewise it was also the most inspiring part of the trip.

Over and over the students were struck by the beauty and mass of magnificent, raw earth surrounding them. They worked together as a team to ensure great safety and support for one another.

When they reached the summit, they were surrounded by glaciers and vaulted mountain peaks. After resting and refueling at the summit, they discussed their long mountain and life journey to this special place. Sitting at the top of the world and reflecting is sometimes the most meaningful moment.

All trips like this follow outdoors and wilderness safety protocols including: leave no trace; bear aware; buddy system; and goals and benchmarks.

On Monday morning, the students remained elated about their trip. “It was unbelievable,” said Jaden, a Water Waste Water student. “I am still sore, but it is something I will never forget.”
And that’s the goal of course. At the Alaska Job Corps, we want our students to work hard, excel and be successful. And we want Job Corps training to be an amazing time in their life they will never forget.

This trip marks the first successful ascent of Matanuska Peak by Alaska Job Corps, although there have been two other attempts. Which goes to show that goals are attainable by hard work. Careers begin here at Job Corps.

Alaska Job Corps is operated by Chugach Government Solutions as a part of their educational effort to provide training, success and safety to young adults in the National Job Corps program.