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VETERANS & MILITARY SPOUSES
JOB FAIR A special publication by Morris Communications
Page 2 • november 2014 • Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
Health care Continues to top occupational forecast By Paul Martz Alaska Department of Labor and Workplace Development
The next few years will bring Alaskans a range of job opportunities through 36,000 new positions and 95,000 additional replacement openings. Because of the shift to an older Alaska and a growing population overall, more than half of the top 25 occupations for growth will be in health care. Health care occupations are intrinsically linked to population dynamics. Older people rely more heavily on these services, and between 2012 and 2022, the senior population will grow considerably, generating more demand. The age group from 65 to 79 will increase by a projected 85.4 percent, and those 80 and older will grow by 51.1 percent. For comparison, the rest of the population between 0 and 64 is expected to increase by just 3.6 percent.
Telephone: 907-561-4772 Managing Editor
Andrew Jensen (907) 275-2165 editor@alaskajournal.com Production Manager
Maree Shogren (907) 275-2162 ads@ftp.alaskajournal.com Graphic/Layout Designer
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Elwood Brehmer (907) 275-2161 Account Executives
Jada Nowling (907) 275-2154 Ken Hanni (907) 275-2155 Joy Bunde (907) 275-2153
On the Cover:
Photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera/U.S. Air Force
Staff Sgt. Candice Chase inputs the flight plans of multiple aircraft Dec. 21 at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson, Alaska. JBER’s air traffic controllers handle an average of 150 flights daily to include directing the movement of aircraft into and out of the military airfields, relay flights and landing instructions, weather reports and safety informations to pilots. Chase is assigned to the 3rd Operations Support Squadron.
Photo/Rick Bowmer/AP
Once again health care occupations top the annual forecast. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Developmentestimates jobs in the field will grow by 22 percent before 2022 as the state population ages.
Health care is at the top
Occupations in decline
Alaska’s changing demographics are particularly noticeable when looking at the 25 occupations we expect to grow most, by percentage. Twelve are in the health care practitioners and technical occupations category and four are in health care support. Together, these two occupational categories will grow a projected 22 percent, adding 5,350 jobs. People who leave these occupations, usually due to retirement or changing careers, will create an additional 4,707 openings. Several other high-growth occupations that aren’t categorized in health care but will still be critical to meeting the needs of older Alaskans include: Personal care aides, which will increase by a projected 26 percent, or 1,033 jobs, with another 1,155 replacement openings. Personal care aides help the elderly or disabled with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. Some within this category also provide limited medical assistance under the direction of a registered nurse. Funeral attendant, which is a small occupation in Alaska at just 34 jobs in 2012, but one that we expect to grow 29.2 percent by 2022. Health care social workers and social and human service assistants, who help chronically ill or injured people and their families, are projected to increase by 18.9 and 17.6 percent respectively.
Forty-one occupations face projected declines between 2012 and 2022. Most are casualties of con-
High growth outside health care The other highest-growth occupations are mainly in production and in construction and extraction. At the top, with a projected growth rate of 25 percent, are continuous mining machine operators. This mining occupation includes operating mining equipment for ore removal. Closely following with expected growth of 24.3 percent are millwrights. Millwrights aren’t miningspecific, but their duties, which include installation and movement of heavy equipment, are important to the mining industry.
jobs. Others are due to large reductions in the federal workforce and anticipated drops in broadcasting, newspapers, and legal services. Some of the expected federal
and compensation and benefits managers. Broadcasting and newspaper losses will include broadcast technicians, print binding and finishing workers, and editors. We
HIGHEST TOTAL JOBS IN OFFICE WORK
Projected total jobs by occupational category, 2012 and 2022 Office and Administrative Support Sales and Related Food Preparation and Serving Related Construction and Extraction Transportation and Material Moving Education, Training, and Library Management Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Production Health Care Practitioners and Technical Personal Care and Service Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Business and Financial Operations Health Care Support Protective Service Architecture and Engineering Life, Physical, and Social Science Community and Social Service Computer and Mathematical Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Legal Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
2012 2022
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section
HEALTH CARE SUPPORT TO GROW THE MOST
Percent growth by occupational category, 2012 and 2022 Health Care Support Health Care Practitioners and Technical Personal Care and Service Community and Social Service Construction and Extraction Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Management Food Preparation and Serving Related Architecture and Engineering Alaska overall growth Transportation and Material Moving Office and Administrative Support Sales and Related Computer and Mathematical Education, Training, and Library Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Production Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Life, Physical, and Social Science Business and Financial Operations Protective Service Legal
23.0% 21.0% 16.0% 16.0% 12.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 11.0% 10.8% 10.0% 10.0% 10.0% 9.0% 9.0% 9.0% 8.0% 8.0% 7.0% 6.0% 5.0% 5.0% -2.0%
Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section
tinual cuts to U.S. Postal Service and Alaska Railroad Corporation
losses will include psychologists, biological scientists, historians,
See Forecast, Page 6
Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
• november 2014 • Page 3
SERVICES FOR VETERANS, TRANSITIONING SOLDIERS Alaska Job Centers The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides “Priority of Service” for veterans and eligible spouses in all qualified job training programs funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Labor. Priority of service means that veterans and eligible spouses are given priority over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training, and placement services. For more information go online at Jobs. Alaska.Gov and Jobs.Alaska.Gov/veterans. Priority of Service also includes: • Dedicated veteran employment staff • Jobs posted on ALEXsys are viewable only by veterans for the first 24 hours • Several job centers have computers reserved solely for use by veterans • Limited training funds go to veterans before consideration of non-veteran trainees
Employment Services Alaska Job Centers offer a variety of services to help Alaskans find a job, or a better job.
Services include: • Resource rooms with Internet-ready computers, copiers, fax machines, phones • Workshops to enhance your job search, resume, cover letter, interview, and networking skills and many more • One-on-one assistance from a career counselor to aid you through any step of the employment process • Referrals to other partner agencies (you may qualify for programs for which you are unaware). Information about Alaska Job Center job fairs, recruitments and workshops is available online at jobs.alaska.gov/jobfairs/index.html.
Photo/Sgt. William Begley/U.S. Army
Pfc. Jacob Edgell, a native of Fallsburg, Ohio, with the Weld Shop for B Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, welds a wheel mount for a spare tire onto a trailer April 25 at Forward Operating Base Salerno in Afghanistan. The skills veterans learn while enlisted are valuable qualifications for life after their military careers are over.
org, www.va.gov/osdbu/veteran and www. sba.gov.
GI Bill Education and Training This program assists veterans and their dependents by allowing them to use their education and training benefits. Benefits can be used to learn a trade or skill through participation in apprenticeship or on-the-job training rather than by attending classes. For more information go online at www.gibill.va.gov.
Unemployment Benefits
Helmets to Hardhats (H2H)
Members of the Armed Forces are considered employed. Immediately upon separation, members of the armed forces are considered unemployed and may qualify for unemployment insurance benefits. To apply for unemployment benefits go online at my.alaska.gov.
Helmets to Hardhats is a free one-stop shop for the best construction industry jobs nationwide. America’s employers and trade organizations come to H2H looking for America’s best workers. H2H accepts active military, those in the National Guard and Reserves and veterans who want to join the building and construction trades. Helmets to Hardhats can provide information on how to access the construction industry. The first step in finding a great career in building and construction is to register at
Business Ownership There are many resources available to veterans considering starting a business or expanding an existing one. Please visit the following sites for more information: aksbdc.
www.helmetstohardhats.org. Users need to complete a profile and can learn about the different trades and what it means to be a part of them. Alaska’s H2H Coordinator Alexis Crabtree can be reached at 866-993-8181 or by email at alexisc@AlaskaWorks.org.
Troops to Teachers Troops to Teachers is a U.S. Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as teachers in public schools where their skills, knowledge and experience are most needed. For more information go online www.proudtoserveagain.com.
Job Boards State of Alaska Alaska Labor Exchange (ALEXsys) alexsys.labor.state.ak.us Home to public and private jobs available in the State of Alaska.
Workplace Alaska doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace Home to State Government jobs available in
the State of Alaska. National sites, US.jobs Home to public and private jobs available throughout the country. USAjobs.gov www.usajobs.gov Home to Federal Government jobs available throughout the country. Hero 2 Hired h2h.jobs Home to public and private jobs available throughout the country and designed specifically for Reserve Component service members. Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs The Alaska Office of Veterans Affairs help veterans and their families to improve the quality of their lives. The office can help veterans file claims for education, medical or other benefits, and assist in obtaining earned military awards. For information call 888-248-3682 or go online veterans.alaska.gov.
Top 10 Reasons to hire a veteran
Photo/Courtesy/Office of Gov. Sean Parnell
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell talks with active duty members of the U.S. Air Force at the 2012 Alaska Veterans and Military Spouses Job Fair held Nov. 9 at the University Center in Anchorage.
Accelerated learning curve: Veterans have the proven ability to learn new skills and concepts. In addition, they can enter your workforce with identifiable and trans-
ferable skills, proven in real-world situations. Leadership: The military trains people to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation,
motivation, and inspiration. Veterans understand the practical ways to manage behaviors for results. They also know the dynamics of leadership as part of both hierarchical and peer structures. Teamwork: Veterans understand how genuine teamwork grows out of a responsibility to one’s colleagues. Military duties involve a blend of individual and group productivity. They also necessitate a perception of how groups of all sizes relate to each other and an overarching objective. Diversity and inclusion in action: Veterans have learned to work side by side with individuals regardless of diverse race, gender, geographic origin, ethnic background, religion, and economic status as well as mental, physical, and attitudinal capabilities. Efficient performance under pressure: Veterans understand the rigors of tight schedules and
limited resources. They have developed the capacity to know how to accomplish priorities on time, in spite of tremendous stress. They know the critical importance of staying with a task until it is done right. Respect for procedures: Veterans have gained a unique perspective on the value of accountability. They can grasp their place within an organizational framework, becoming responsible for subordinates’ actions to higher supervisory levels. They know how policies and procedures enable an organization to exist. Technology and globalization: Because of their experiences in the service, veterans are usually aware of international and technical trends pertinent to business and industry. They can bring the kind of global outlook and technological savvy that all enterprises of any size need to succeed.
Integrity: Veterans know what it means to do “an honest day’s work.” Prospective employers can take advantage of a track record of integrity, often including security clearances. Conscious of health and safety standards: Thanks to extensive training, veterans are aware of health and safety protocols both for themselves and the welfare of others. On a company level, their awareness and conscientiousness translate into protection of employees, property, and materials. Triumph over adversity: In addition to dealing positively with the typical issues of personal maturity, veterans have frequently triumphed over great adversity. They likely have proven their mettle in mission critical situations demanding endurance, stamina, and flexibility. Source: Capt. Benjamin Jones, Veterans Today, Jan. 25, 2010.
Page 4 • november 2014 • Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
LIST OF EMPLOYERS AAFES AATCA AK Child & Family Alaska Airlines Alaska Air National Guard Alaska Army National Guard Alaska Career College Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Alaska Communications Alaska Dept of Corrections Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Alaska Executive Search Alaska Joint Electric Apprenticeship & Training Alaska Marine Highway System Alaska Mining & Diving Supply, Inc. Alaska Railroad Corporation Alaska Regional Hospital
Alaska SHRM State Council Alaska State Troopers Alaska USA FCU Alaska Veterans Museum Alyeska Pipeline Services Company American Legion Service Office Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center Anchorage Police Department Anchorage School District ARC of Anchorage ASRC AES EPT ASRC Energy Services AWAIC Beacon Occupational Health & Safety Services Boilermakers, Local 502 Bureau of Land Management Camp Fire Alaska
Thank you to our troops and their families. We proudly support hiring Vets. 7521 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage (907) 349-3556 « www.mrprimebeef.com
M I L I TA RY
APPRECIATION
Carlile Transportation Services, Inc. Carrs/Safeway CBI Media Group CH2M Hill Charter College Chaz Limited Collision Express Chenega Corporation Colaska Coldwell Banker Best Properties Crowley Denali Family Services Department of Veterans Affairs Division of Juvenile Justice DOWL HKM Edward Jones Investments Elwood Staffing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Enstar Natural Gas Enterprise Rent-a-Car FBI Federal Aviation Administration FedEx Trade Networks First Command Financial Services First National Bank Alaska GCI GEO Group Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education Grayling Construction Halliburton Helmets to Hardhats Hilcorp HMS Host Holiday Companies Home Instead Senior Care Hope Community Resource Inc. Hotel Captain Cook J&D Restaurants, Carl’s Jr. Alaska Jack White Real Estate JBER NAF Kelly Services Kid’s Corps, Inc. KTUU-TV Lowe’s HIW Inc. Maniilaq Counseling & Recovery Center Marsh Creek LLC Marsh Creek LLC Matanuska-Susitna Borough Midnight Sun Home Care NANA Management Services
NeighborWorks Anchorage New York Life Insurance Co. North Slope Telecom NMS Camp Services & Security NMS Food & Facilities Management & Lodging Nordstrom Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training Northstar Behavioral Health Northwest Technical Services (NWTS) Northwestern Mutual Financial Office of U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski Olive Garden, Tikhatnu Petco Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 367 Public Employees Local 71 Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. Siemens Industry, Inc. Small Business Administration Southcentral Foundation Southern Alaska Carpenter Training Spenard Builders Supply Starbucks Coffee State of Alaska Stonebridge Companies Student Conservation Association Taylored Restoration Services Terrasond Limited The Berry Company Thread Udelhoven Oilfield System Services University of Alaska, Anchorage UAA Retail Management Certificate Program UAA Continuing Education Department University of Phoenix USAF, JBER US Air Force Reserve US Customs & Border Protection US Department of Labor US Fish & Wildlife Service Veterans Health Administration vRide/Share-A-Ride Program Wells Fargo Bank Waddell & Reed Walgreens Waste Management West Coast Training
Free Career Counseling & Workshops at the Fair The Alaska Society for Human Resource Management and BP Alaska human resources staff will host a career counseling workshop at the Alaska Veterans Job Fair on Friday, Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Center. The workshops are free. Human resource professionals representing multiple industries will be available to serve as advisors to participants of these workshops. These HR professional are the best of the best and will offer participants advice and insight regarding how to be successful at a job fair, and resume and interview critiques. Participants should bring a resume and also recruitment bulletin/job descriptions of the “ideal job” so advisors can offer specific assistance.
How to Work a Job Fair (Alaska SHRM State Council) “Cliff Notes” Version in 20 minutes! Developing your 30-second introduction, visiting with recruiters. 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:30 AM
How to Work a Job Fair (Alaska SHRM State Council)
is proud to support those who serve.
The complete scoop (45 minutes): Developing your 30-second introduction, visiting with recruiters, great questions to ask recruiters, Q&A 12:30 PM 1:30 PM
Résumé Critique (BP Alaska)
One-to-one resume assistance for any career fair participants 10:30 AM 12:30 PM 2:30 PM
Interview Techniques (BP Alaska)
745 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306 | Anchorage, Alaska 99501 (907) 646-2214 | www.tclcon.com
15-20 minute presentation, with time for Q&A and individual mock interviews upon request 11:30 AM 1:30 PM
Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
• november 2014 • Page 5
Post-military training arms vets with needed skills By Elwood Brehmer Alaska Journal of Commerce
A group of soon-to-be-veterans gathered in June for valuable education that could lead to skilled jobs in the construction industry. The 10 enlisted military personnel from the Air Force and Army spent six days from June 2 to June 7 in Anchorage learning how to use the latest “line and grade” surveying technology. Alaska Construction Academies Executive Director Kathleen Castle spearheaded the workforce training. She said working with veterans, or those who will be veterans, helps fill a growing gap in the workforce. “We’ve got an amazing shortage of workers in Alaska and actually around this country — skilled workers — but our academy has pretty much specialized in the entry-level exposure side,” Castle said. “With our veterans we stand a much better chance of getting skilled workers. Sometimes it’s just a certain certification they might need.” On top of the training they may have received while enlisted, the discipline demanded of military personnel often gives veterans making the transition to civilian jobs a leg up. “(Veterans) are used to taking direction; they’re also used to asking questions if they don’t know, which is important because when you go to a new job even if you bring lots of skill there’s always things you need to learn,” Castle said. Nationally, the Associated General Contractors of America
AP Images/U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation/Sara D. Davis
Staff Sgt. Joseph Kenny and Sgt. Joseph Ricci connect with employers on the new online resource, Virtual Job Scout, at the Fort Bragg Veterans Jobs Summit on Aug. 13 in Fort Bragg, N.C. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program and the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation launched Virtual Job Scout on Aug. 12, a free virtual hiring fair platform that gathers all the resources and opportunities of a job fair and puts them directly in the fingertips of the military community and recruiting employers. The Hiring our Heroes program is a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors to connect veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to meaningful employment opportunities.
announced in June it joined the Hiring Our Heroes program with a goal of adding 100,000 veterans to the construction trades over
2015
the next five years. In Alaska, the Alaska Construction Academies has worked closely with the Helmets to Hardhats program with a
similar goal in mind. The line and grade work was funded with Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Develop-
ment State Training and Employment Program, or STEP, grants. See Heroes, Page 7
PRESENTS THE 16TH ANNUAL Jeff Roberts 2014 Recipient
Nominate Today! Deadline for nominations is Jan. 15, 2015.
Go to
www.alaskajournal.com /40under40 for nomination form
Awards event to be held April 3, 2015 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center
Contact Jada Nowling for sponsorship information 907-275-2154 | jada.nowling@morris.com
Page 6 • november 2014 • Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
Forecast:
Continued from Page 2
GROWTH VS. REPLACEMENTS
Types of occupational openings, 2012 and 2022 Office and Administrative Support Food Preparation and Serving Related Sales and Related Transportation and Material Moving Construction and Extraction Production Education, Training, and Library Personal Care and Service Management Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Health Care Practitioners and Technical Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Protective Service Business and Financial Operations Life, Physical, and Social Science Health Care Support Community and Social Service Architecture and Engineering Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Computer and Mathematical Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Legal
... by occupational category
Growth openings Replacement openings
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,000 18,000 20,000
Cashiers Retail Salespersons Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Teacher Assistants Waiters and Waitresses Office Clerks, General Personal Care Aides Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Registered Nurses Food Preparation Workers Construction Laborers Receptionists and Information Clerks Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Child Care Workers Stock Clerks and Order Fillers Teachers and Instructors, All Other
... by specific occupation
Growth openings Replacement openings
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
Notes: Growth openings are new jobs. Replacement openings result from vacancies left by workers who retire or permanently leave an occupation. Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section
anticipate the legal industry to lose lawyers, legal secretaries, and legal assistants.
Most openings are replacements When looking at the long-term outlook for any occupation, replacement openings are just as important as new jobs from the perspective of someone planning a career or assessing workforce training needs. For this 10-year period, replacement openings
will generate 2.5 times more job opportunities than openings from growth. Replacement openings are vacancies left by a worker who retires or otherwise permanently leaves an occupation, whether that’s from changing careers or leaving Alaska. It’s important to note that a vacancy left by a worker who moves from one employer to another in the same occupation doesn’t count as a replacement opening. This is called job turnover, and it’s much
more common. Though replacement openings don’t include turnover, many occupations with high turnover also generate high numbers of replacement openings. This is because many of these occupations are low-wage and frequently filled by young workers who are likely to change careers as they age. For example, many cashiers are young people doing seasonal work rather than making a career choice, and many will never return to a cashiering job
OPENINGS BY EDUCATIONAL LEVEL* AND WAGES Alaska occupational projections, 2012 to 2022
Office and Administrative Support Sales and Related Food Preparation and Serving Related Construction and Extraction Transportation and Material Moving Education, Training, and Library Management Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Production Health Care Practitioners and Technical Personal Care and Service Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Business and Financial Operations Health Care Support Protective Service Architecture and Engineering Life, Physical, and Social Science Community and Social Service Computer and Mathematical Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Legal Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Photo/Judy Patrick/Sumitomo Metal Mining Co.
After health care, the next-largest group of occupational jobs in the forecast are for construction and resource extraction jobs. Mines around Alaska are expanding, including at Pogo seen here, and prolonging the life of operations.
after the season ends. This leaves a large number of openings — in fact, 89.1 percent of openings for cashiers will be replacements. On the opposite end, more permanent and high-wage jobs typically have more growth openings. Openings for physical therapists, for example, will be 67.4 percent new positions.
Highest total opening in lower-paying occupations The highest total openings will be in office and administrative support, food preparation and serving, and sales. These categories are typically high-replacement, but food service and sales jobs slightly edge out administrative occupations for replacements because they’re often seasonal and lower-wage.
Openings by education level 2012 2022
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section
70,000
Over the projection period, 72.5 percent of the available job openings will require a high school diploma or less, though many still require significant postsecondary training and, in some cases, years of vocational education through apprenticeships. Jobs that require a high school diploma or less typically pay less than those requiring higher levels of education. The average annual wage for a job requiring a high school diploma is about $49,455, and for those that don’t require a diploma, wages average $29,221. These wage esti-
mates are based on a 40-hour workweek year-round, so many that are seasonal or part-time will pay considerably less. The remaining 27.5 percent of openings will be in occupations that require some college, a degree, or a postsecondary nondegree award. Aircraft mechanics, medical assistants, and commercial drivers are common postsecondary nondegree award jobs. About 13.8 percent of these openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree, meaning higher wages and full-time, yearround work.
What makes a ‘top job’? Long-term occupation projections are a vital tool for workforce development agencies, job placement and counseling professionals, job seekers, and education and training providers, but it can be difficult to determine which occupations should get the most attention from these stakeholders. To help answer this question, we developed the Alaska’s Top Jobs list. The list focuses on occupations we project will fare well and pay well over the projections period. To make the top jobs list, an occupation must meet two criteria: Its average wages must rank in the top 50 percent of all occupations. It must either: 1) have projected See Forecast, Page 7
Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
• november 2014 • Page 7
Veterans Affairs secretary wooing medical students By Wilson Ring Associated Press
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The new secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs made an impassioned recruitment pitch to medical school and nursing students at the University of Vermont on Oct. 13, urging them to consider careers in the VA. It was the latest in a series of recruiting stops VA Secretary Robert McDonald has made since he took over at the end of July with a mission to overhaul an agency beleaguered by long waits for health care for the nation’s veterans and by workers falsifying records to cover up delays. Besides filling immediate needs of reducing wait times for people seeking treatment at VA facilities across the country, he said he sees the long-term way to improve the system and keep it vibrant as bringing in more staff. “There is no higher calling,” McDonald said to a conference room full of students at the College of Medicine, referencing the opportunity to care for the nation’s veterans and, in some cases, their dependents. But he also touted the practical benefits. A new law allows the VA to pay up to $120,000 in debt forgiveness for medical professionals. Last year, the average UVM medical graduate had $175,000 in debt. After leaving Burlington, McDonald drove south to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, N.H., where he made a similar pitch to students. In the last few weeks he’s made
Heroes:
Photo/Chris O’Meara/AP
U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald, center, is making recruiting pitches to medical students around the country to join the VA. A new law authorizes the VA to pay up to $120,000 in student loan debt relief as an incentive to join. At left to McDonald is U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, left, R-Fla., Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
stops in California and North Carolina. In the coming days he’s going to the Boston area and then Maryland. McDonald was accompanied during his visit to Burlington by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and has been a long-time advocate for veterans. Sanders helped shepherd
through Congress a bill that provides $5 billion so the VA can recruit more medical professionals. McDonald told the students in Burlington that the VA has about 150 medical centers across the country and 820 community-based outpatient clinics. He said the VA, which also is increasing its use of mobile health vans that can reach veterans in rural areas, is trying to
recruit between 20,000 and 30,000 doctors and nurses. “What you will find is that at the VA, we are at the forefront, we pioneer a lot of new things in medicine,” McDonald said. The VA medical system has produced three Nobel Prize winners, and it has helped pioneer a number of cutting-edge treatments. Second-year UVM medical stu-
dent Katherine Wang, of Lexington, Massachusetts, said she hadn’t given much thought to her aftergraduation plans but McDonald’s pitch was giving her something to think about. “They are definitely looking for young doctors, and they want you to come,” Wang said. “I could go for loan forgiveness. ... It’s just good to know the options are out there.”
Continued from Page 5
The trainees that participated in the surveying class were recommended by Alaska military officers, she said, as was the instructor. Long-time surveyor Mike Carris traveled from Richmond, Va., to lead the coursework. Castle said a shortage of experienced line and grade technicians in Alaska made it nearly impossible to find an in state instructor, as they were all busy working long days in the middle of the construction season. A lack of surveyors is not specific to Alaska, he said; they’re in demand across the country. “Surveying as a whole is not a sexy industry,” Carris said. “The industry as a whole is trying to find individuals that
Forecast:
would really like to get into surveying and learn the skills and the trade but then also apply it to construction.” According to Carris, the average age of surveyors in the United States is 57. While the profession may need some new blood, it is not for lack of pay, particularly in Alaska. The average annual salary for surveyor in the state is more than $74,000, second only to California in that regard, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average surveyor’s yearly pay nationwide is nearly $60,000. Carris’ curriculum focused on drafting three-dimensional construction site models using design software of work being done at
the C. For two days the class put its work to use at the Alaska Laborers Training Trust site in Chugiak. If there was an error in the model, the students were able to see how it translated to the job site. “These guys were able to take the model that we built in class and check not only their work and how well they built the model but actually how well it was graded and it was pretty accurate,” he said. A “sub-centimeter” accuracy standard is used in the industry, Carris said, and the class’ model was with an inch for the most part on the roadbeds and gravel pad. Students could take their training directly
to an apprenticeship or have a leg up when starting a two or four-year formal surveying or engineering program, he said. In addition to the brief teaching stint in Alaska, Carris has taught similar courses to Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers at installations across the country and even while deployed in Qatar. “I was in the Marine Corps so being a Marine supporting the veterans was big for me and still is big for me so that’s why it worked out well for me I felt,” Carris said. Elwood Brehmer can be reached at elwood. brehmer@alaskajournal.com
Continued from Page 6
growth of at least 75 jobs and percentage growth that’s higher than that of all occupations combined, or 2) be among the 50 occupations with the most projected openings. The occupations in the top jobs list represent 53 out of 788 occupations found in Alaska, or 6.7 percent. It comprises a select group of occupations that are at the top end of 13 out of 23 broad occupational categories. A high percentage of these occupations, about 17 percent, are related to health care, but construction and extraction along with management make up 13.2 percent and 15.1 percent respectively. The remaining occupations run the gamut from petroleum en-
gineers to air traffic controllers, with elementary school teachers in between. This list centers on occupations that would be considered professions, not just a job. They’re typically long-term and require considerable investments to pursue. Twenty-seven require at least a bachelor’s degree, and eight more require at least an associate degree or some form of postsecondary award such as a vocational certificate. This article originally appeared in the October 2014 issue of Alaska Economic Trends, published by the Department of Labor and Workplace Development.
PERCENT NEW JOBS VS. REPLACEMENT OPENINGS Select Alaska occupations, 2012 to 2022 Growth Physical Therapists
67.4%
Radiologic Technologists
Cashiers
32.6%
59.8%
All Occupations Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
Replacements
40.2%
27.8% 14.4% 10.9%
72.2% 85.6% 89.1%
Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section
Page 8 • november 2014 • Veterans & Military Spouses Job Fair
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Providing financial services to our country’s military personnel since 1956 Wells Fargo Worldwide Military Banking makes money management easier wherever you are in the world. Get a full range of benefits and services designed especially for you and your family. To learn more, talk with a banker at one of our store locations, call 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557), or visit us online at wellsfargo.com/military today.
We proudly salute those who serve locally in Alaska and around the world.
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