The purpose of the Employment & Training program is to address individual barriers to employment and work through them with a plan - goals and specific dates to achieve outcomes. Barriers can include such things as child care, transportation, lack of adequate clothing or tools, lack of training, and each person’s barriers are as unique as their plans to overcome them. Employment & Training also focus on the soft skills such as work ethics, interview techniques, resume development and learning to write cover letters.

The training we refer to with this program is primarily short-term occupational training that moves the person from training directly into employment. We require a letter of intent to hire from an employer prior to sending a person to training. We work closely with contractors to anticipate the number of applicants they can accommodate on their project and train to their standards to ensure that individuals come out of training “Job Ready”. In addition to this effort, we work very well with agencies who recruit apprenticeship opportunities in all fields such as electrical, diesel mechanics, heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, pile drivers, carpenters, and laborers. The apprenticeship programs are referred to as ‘the other college degree’ where they earn while they learn.

For example, an apprenticeship usually takes four years of work and class time to achieve journeyman level, each 1,000 hours pay is increased and they are that much closer to their certificate. Recently, a company called for journeyman electricians with a rate of pay for $4,500 PER WEEK. These are great opportunities that can help people sustain their livelihood while working half the year and engaging in subsistence activities during the other half. Funds for training and employment expenses are for tribally-enrolled individuals who reside in compacting villages within the Bristol Bay Region.
If you have any questions about whether or not you would qualify, call our staff.

We also work hard to accommodate employers by developing on-the-job training opportunities and can provide support such as wages, job-coaching, mediation, and numerous other services. We also keep a list of individuals available for day labor or on-call workers.

Youth are the future of the Bristol Bay Region and Workforce Development supports the growth and development of work skills in youth by operating the annual Summer Youth Employment Program. Typically, we open up the application process near the end of May and determine income eligible, tribally enrolled youth, in disadvantaged communities throughout the region to offer six weeks of employment with on-the-job training. Youth learn work ethics, punctuality, dealing with people and the public, office procedures, assist elders with chores and several other skills to enhance their future and to earn a few paychecks before school starts. All youth that are 14-21 years of age and who reside in the region are eligible to apply and we are looking forward to advance this program by more outreach and more classes to teach youth the importance of planning, budgeting, and living in rural Bristol Bay villages.

General Assistance is for adults who have no minor children in their households who need basic necessities such as food, shelter, or clothing.