Program Manager Karen Johnson: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Assistant Adison Smith: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                   

Ø  FY09 Funding News

The Denali Commission is receiving about 30% less funding this year and a 50% reduction in some of the main Denali Commission programs, such as training, health and energy.  The funding for the Training Program for FY09 is $3.3 million which is half of previous year’s appropriations.  The Training Program will continue to fund training projects that support other Denali Commission investments such as road, energy, and health projects.

At our March quarterly meeting in Juneau, Commissioners approved a draft FY09 Work Plan.  The Work Plan is posted on our website for public comment through May 3, 2009.  

The next Denali Commission quarterly meeting will be held in Fairbanks, Alaska on June 4 & 5, 2009 at which time the Commissioners will be reviewing public comments and will take additional public comments.   

Ø  Advisory Meeting

Our next Training Advisory Committee will meet on August 27, 2009 at the Denali Commission offices in Anchorage.

Ø  Funding Opportunities and Process

Then Denali Training Program is administered by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) who provide quarterly request for grant applications (RGA) for the Denali Training Fund and Youth Initiatives on behalf of the Denali Commission.  To apply go to the www.state.ak.us , find quick links in the lower left corner and click on public notices on-line.   Keywords for searching are: Denali Training Fund.  Additionally, all Denali Commission funding opportunities will be linked to the Denali Commission web page.

Ø  Current Funding Opportunity

The Denali Youth Initiatives RGA seeks training projects that will prepare youth ages 16 to 24 for career paths that lead to employment in Alaska’s high demand, high wage occupations. Interested parties are encouraged to complete an application and budget for each program of interest.  The RGA, applications and budget forms are electronic and can be downloaded from this website. http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/0fbaac2ac9267ecd89256785006ad908/0d5481bf17f215d089257591006352fd?OpenDocument

The applications are due on or before 5:00 p.m. May 1, 2009. DOLWD will host a question and answer teleconference at 1:30 p.m. April 15, 2009. The teleconference number is 1-888-942-8686, ID number 7345413#.

For More Information Contact:

 Carol Schumacher, Alaska Youth First Program Manager
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(907) 269-4658

Ø  Story’s of Success

The Alaska Rural Utility Cooperative (ARUC): It is common for Alaskan communities to experience major water system freeze-ups due to very cold temperatures and high heating fuel costs. Some Alaska Communities lost water service to most residents for weeks or months. The scope of ARUC was to create a regional utility cooperative by bundling local utilities with a successful parent organization to minimize administrative overhead, reduce unit-operating costs and improve stability of local utility services.  The outcome was that all the ARUC communities did not experience any major freeze-ups. This is a testament to the ARUC principal that preventative maintenance and prior planning will make water/sewer systems more efficient, dependable and sustainable. Key factors of success are operator training and retention, an adequate inventory of spare parts, adequate revenue to purchase fuel in bulk and professional management all play an important role in the operational success of ARUC water/sewer systems.

Chugach School District prepares Alaska’s youth for the world of work with a focus on high growth and priority industries. Students receive work-readiness training, instruction in math and literacy and drug and alcohol awareness as well as NCCER and culinary arts certification.  The Denali Commission’s Youth Initiative funding has supported this project for several years. For more  information visit the Anchorage Daily News at: http://www.adn.com/education/story/706441.html

Program Manager Karen Johnson: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Assistant Adison Smith: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it                   

 "Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope."  - Bill Crosby

The Denali Commission supports training programs that break-down barriers to employment.  One huge employment barrier in rural Alaska is many residents do not have their Alaska driver’s license.  We partnered up with Yuut Elitnaurviat which is the Regional Training Center for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta area to target this disparity.  They recently completed a driver’s license training at their Bethel facility for 14 individuals from Nunapitchuk, Autmautluk and Bethel which resulted in each person obtaining their Alaska Driver’s License.  This is significant milestone for these young rural residents because they can now apply for apprentice programs and/or other jobs that require a drivers license. They will also be eligible to apply and test for their CDL in a year which will open more employment opportunities for them.  

The Denali Commission supports training programs that build the capacity of rural administrators and city clerks. Through Denali Commission training funds, our partner, the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks sent rural clerks to attend an advanced academy accredited by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.  Continued training for our important local government clerks is not only to  help them successfully perform essential local government functions, but also gives them enough information and tools to keep them in their jobs longer.  Longevity helps provide stability and consistency for a community.

Denali Training Fund deadline for applications is April 15, 2009.

Complete proposals for the Denali Training Fund (DTF) are due by 5pm via fax, email or hand delivered to our administration partner, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development 1016 W 6th Avenue, Suite 205 Anchorage, Alaska 99516.  Call Gerry McDonagh (907) 269-4551 for more information or technical assistance. 

A link to the RGA should be posted in the near future on this site.

Program Manager Karen Johnson: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Assistant Adison Smith: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

HaPpY NeW YeAr!!

The Training Program has had a very productive year in 2008 funding training for over 2000 individuals to construct, maintain and/or operate Denali Commission or other public infrastructure in their rural communities.

The Denali Commission uses training partners around the state to carry out our program training goals and we would like to thank them for a job well done. For training projects initiated in 2008: The Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks, Alaska Energy Authority, Alaska Vocational Technical Center, Alaska Forum, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Operating Engineers, Alaska Village Council Presidents Regional Housing Authority, Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation, CE2 Engineers, Chilkoot Indian Association, Haines Assisted Living, Interior Regional Housing Authority, Kawerak Inc, RuAL Cap, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Southwest Alaska Vocational & Education Center, STG, Inc., City of Tanana, Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority, Yuut Elitnaurviat, Alaska Works Partnership, University of Alaska, First Alaskans, Associated General Contractors and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

There is much more work coming down the pike from the Denali Commission with roads, clinic and energy projects needing to be build and maintained which means more people can and will be trained in 2009. We expect another busy and industrious year for workforce development across our state.

Denali Training Fund deadline for applications is January 15, 2009.

Complete proposals for the Denali Training Fund (DTF) are due by 5pm via fax, email or hand delivered to our administration partner, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development 1016 W 6th Avenue, Suite 205 Anchorage, Alaska 99516. Call Gerry McDonagh (907) 269-4551 for more information or technical assistance.

The Denali Training Fund (DTF) application can be located at the following state of Alaska link: Denali Training Fund Application

Program Manager Karen Johnson: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Assistant Adison Smith: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Denali Training Fund (DTF) Funding September Update:

Through our administrative partner, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Denali Commission has issued a Request for Grant Application (RGA) for the Denali Training Fund.  The deadline for this RGA is October 15, 2008. Please see the following state link for the RGA:

http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/87ce3ac8b07c3e34892574c00061c4eb?OpenDocument

The last year has been a busy time for the Training Program and many positive employment opportunities for many people have been the result of much hard work by our statewide partnerships.  The Denali Commission would like to thank our training and employment partners for their perseverance and determination in building a reliable, confident and competent workforce in rural Alaska.

In Togiak, Alaska the DTF funded training for nine residents to operate the new rock crusher.  The rock crusher was a Denali Commission investment through our Economic Development Program. All trainees are now gainfully employed and the City of Togiak has a competent crew that they can rely on for maintenance and operation of their new equipment.

Program Manager Karen Johnson: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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The Training Advisory Committee has met several times in the past year and is actively engaged in the program. The next meeting was planned in conjunction with site visits in the Bristol Bay region this month. Unfortunately, the meeting has been postponed. Watch the calendar of events in our monthly newsletter for the rescheduled meeting details.

What is the purpose of the Denali Commission Training Program?

The Training Program's primary purpose is to support the Commission's investments in Rural Alaska like clinics, roads and tank farms. We will provide training for careers that will help build, construct, operate and maintain our Energy, Transportation, Health Facilities, Economic Development, Teacher Housing and Solid Waste infrastructure projects.

What kind of training fits the Denali Commission Training fund

There are many kinds of training that the Denali Commission will give funding consideration to. A few examples that relate to the construction and management of Denali Commission infrastructure projects are welding, heavy equipment, commercial drivers licenses, carpentry, plumbing, community planning, all aspects of community management, youth leadership, wind technology, record keeping, city clerical, building maintenance repair, health aides, dental therapist, medical office, pharmacy, radiology technicians, medical lab and dental assistants to name a few.

Who can apply?

Through the Denali Training Fund (DTF) competitive applications process, any eligible business entity with the capacity to train residents for jobs related to Denali Commission projects and also able to manage federal funds appropriately.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Denali Training Fund on behalf of the Denali Commission. Request for Grant Applications (RGAs) are issued quarterly. Please see the state link below for more information on the Denali Training Fund.

http://www.labor.state.ak.us/bp/dtf.htm

If you have any questions on specific training applications, please ask us directly or Gerry McDonagh at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, (907) 269-4551.

Training Program 2008 Funding Opportunity

The Training Program's mission is to increase the employment and wages of unemployed or underemployed rural Alaskans through training for careers in construction, operation & maintenance and the allied health fields. The Denali Commission received 6.875 million from the US Department of Labor in September 2007.   Our administration partner is the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), Division of Business Partnerships.

DOLWD has posted the FY 07 Denali Training Fund - Request for Grant Application (RGA) on their home page http://www.state.ak.us/ . To find the Denali Training Fund Application on their home page, please go to Quick Links/Public Notices on-line located in the lower left of the home page, view notices by Department, view Labor & Workforce Development and go to public notices.  DTF RGA will be posted on the Denali Commission Web training page as well.

The deadline for receipt of the 1st round of Denali Training Fund RGA's proposals is January 18th, 2008. The second deadline will be February 29th, 2008.

The Youth Initiative RGA will be available for application soon and can be accessed with these same directions.   There will be $1,000,000.00 available for Youth Employment & Training Initiatives.

For more information and assistance regarding the Denali Training Fund and/or the Youth Inititative RGA's, please contact Gerry McDonagh at the DOLWD.

Her mail, telephone and fax addresses are as follows:

Gerry McDonagh

1016 W 6th Avenue, Suite 205 Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Phone: (907) 269-4551 Fax: (907) 269-4661

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The Denali Commission FY 07 Training Fund is now available for application on our partner DOLWD ' s web page. Please see the timeline and links below for application to these training funds.

The deadline for receipt of the 1st round of Denali Training Fund RGA's proposals was January 18th, 2008. These proposals will be reviewed the week of January 28, 2008. If you have submitted a proposal, you should receive notice by February 01, 2008.

The 2nd round of DTF for 2 million dollars is now open and the deadline is February 29, 2008. For application go to: http://notes4.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/3007c144b8c29884892573c50074e9b9?OpenDocument

OPEN until February 15, 2008

The Youth Initiative RGA is now available for application with $1,000,000.00 available for Youth Employment & Training Initiatives. Please got to the following link for link: http://notes5.state.ak.us/pn/pubnotic.nsf/cc52605f7c156e7a8925672a0060a91b/1b117d0ed98da331892573d2007697a6?OpenDocument

For more information and/or assistance please contact

Gerry McDonagh, DTF Administrator

1016 W 6th Avenue, Suite 205 Anchorage, Alaska 99501

Phone: (907) 269-4551

Fax: (907) 269-4661

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There are no Requests for Grant Applications available at this time.

Youth Initiatives CLOSED February 22, 2008

The Denali Youth Initiative proposals will be review on March 5th & 6th. Applicants will be notified by March 21st on the status of their proposal.

Denali Training Fund CLOSED February 29, 2008

The Denali Training Fund proposals will be reviewed the week of March 10th and all applicants will be notified of their status by March 21st.

Our workforce development partners, University of Alaska, Associated General Contractors, Alaska Works Partnership and First Alaskans, have all received FY08 funding from the Denali Commission to conduct rural training in the construction, operation and maintenance and allied health industries. Please visit their web sites for training opportunities. http://www.denali.gov/Web_Resources.cfm?Section=Training