Project Alaska Inc. was established in the wake of Ukrainian refugees resettling in Alaska. The organization is focused on workforce development. As the number of refugees in Alaska grew, the need for a dedicated employment and career development system became evident.
Gainful employment is fundamental to individual self-sufficiency. A fulfilling career brings financial security and bolsters self-worth and confidence.
Many of our clients arrived in Alaska after fleeing conflict, leaving their past lives behind. Initial job placements must often align with their existing skills or educational backgrounds. Teachers clean hotel rooms; engineers are sweeping floors. Underemployment is an issue that blocks the individual’s ability to be truly happy. Limited English skills, temporary UHP status, foreign certifications, lack of resources and transportation, cultural adjustments, and unfamiliarity with the local job markets are significant obstacles for refugees and discourage them from job engagement.
The impetus behind Project Alaska is that we provide refugees with a guided path to integration into life in Alaska. Our team consists primarily of immigrants who have navigated similar challenges and understand these barriers.
Project Alaska’s Trade and Career Development Program aims to support participants by helping them advance their careers in trade-related occupations and achieve their professional goals. Our mission is to help our clients with trade career development in their chosen field, which we accomplish through professional training and meaningful employment.
We provide help with professional training, certification, skill evaluation, and professional licensing, as well as apprenticeships through local labor unions, trade schools, charter colleges, and local universities. We also assist with diploma accreditation according to US educational standards.
Our support extends to every aspect of our clients’ journey. From securing education funding and navigating financial applications, to upgrading jobs and coaching for job interviews, to handling on-boarding paperwork and providing workplace cultural orientation, we are here to guide our clients from the start and continue supporting them as they progress in their careers.
At Project Alaska, our ultimate goal is the economic self-sufficiency and self-reliance of our clients. We are committed to supporting them in their journey towards professional success.
As a nonprofit organization, Project Alaska is dedicated to creating a safer, more prosperous, and enjoyable Alaska, today and for generations to come. Every step we take, every program we launch, every initiative we endorse is driven by our unwavering commitment to making a real, positive difference in the lives of Alaskans. At Project Alaska, we believe in the power of community and the potential for change, working tirelessly every day to build a brighter tomorrow for our beautiful state.
Founded by Mike and Tetyana Robbins, the organization’s first initiative is to address the growing workforce crisis that exists in our state through the Alaska Workforce Initiative. If you’re an employer looking for a qualified workforce, we can help. If you are currently residing inside or outside of Alaska, have skill to offer to an employer or are looking to acquire the skills to start or change careers we can help.