Entering Alaska’s job market just got a lot easier for people on the Kenai Peninsula following the release of a new workforce development website, which officially went live on Wednesday. The website, which was created by the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District, aims to connect people on the peninsula with resources to help them start a career.
KPEDD Executive Director Tim Dillon unveiled the website during a joint luncheon with the Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday, during which he said it was two years in the making and cost about $50,000 to build.
In creating it, Dillon said KPEDD consulted with organizations, department heads and students, among others, to figure out what resources they would look for on a website aimed at bolstering workforce development.
“Whether it’s the 40-year-old that just lost their job, or a vet, those are the folks that we talked to,” Dillon said. “This website is a resource for the entire Kenai Peninsula and it doesn’t matter how old you are.”
In all, the site addresses 12 of the Kenai Peninsula’s workforce industries including tourism, first responders, construction and education. It dives into what careers within different industries require of applicants. Someone interested in pursuing a career in health care, for example, could look at training requirements, median annual wages, education requirements, relevant degree programs on the peninsula and other general information by health care field.
“If a job opens up on the Kenai Peninsula, we wanted, first of all, somebody from the Kenai Peninsula to be trained and number two, we wanted them hired,” Dillon said.
The site also connects students with general employment resources and specific tools such as online resume builders and cover letter templates. A separate page is dedicated entirely to scholarships categorized by industry, such as health care and maritime, with each linked directly to that scholarship’s website.
“When you get a chance, show it to your kids, show it to your grandkids, show it to the cousin or nephew who’s living on your couch and looking for a job,” Dillon said. “I can tell you there’s jobs out there.”
The workforce development website, which officially went live Wednesday, can be accessed at kenaipeninsulaworkforce.org.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
