"Make it Monday" forum - Building Career Pathways with ASD's Academies of Anchorage

Following up on last October's vital discussion about closing the soft skills gap in Alaska, this "Make It Monday" forum shifts focus to the next crucial stage: successfully transitioning work-ready individuals into thriving careers within Alaska’s high-demand industries.

The Anchorage School District’s (ASD) Academy Coaches are on the cutting edge of this transition, helping high schools to offer students specialized pathways, technical training, and direct connections to the local workforce. This event will showcase how the investment in foundational soft skills is leveraged and enhanced by the Academy Coaches and their industry partners to create concrete, sustainable career pipelines.

Key Discussion Points

• Bridging Soft Skills to Technical Proficiency: How Academy Coaches integrate and reinforce essential soft skills—such as communication and teamwork—within the context of technical and career-specific training (e.g., healthcare, trades, IT).
• Industry Partner Perspectives: Insights from industry leaders on the specific skills they look for in Academy graduates, and how their partnerships with ASD are strengthening the local talent pool.
• Student Success Stories: Current Academy students will share their experiences, detailing their journey from skill-building to securing internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level professional positions.
• The Future of Workforce Development: Strategies for expanding the successful collaboration between educational institutions (Academies of Anchorage), non-profits (ARE, 4-H, Junior Achievement), and the private sector to meet Alaska’s long-term workforce needs.

This panel will illustrate the powerful synergy between foundational employability skills and targeted career-technical education, demonstrating a comprehensive model for equipping young Alaskans to succeed while providing employers with a reliable supply of skilled, work-ready talent.

PLUS, brief presentations from the Anchorage ATHENA Society, and new Anchorage Chamber member, SparkStory Marketing.
 

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