Employment & Training

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Program Description
The Employment and Training programs, i.e., U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, are consolidated under P.L. 102-477, which allows consolidation of these federal program funds into one budget, one overall plan.  The Employment and Training Division works with tribally enrolled American Indians and/or Alaska Natives that have their High School Diploma or GED, are residing within the Service Delivery Area of Southeast Alaska, and are Job Ready. 

Services:
Tribal members that meet these guidelines may apply for the following program services: 

1) Adult Basic Education (ABE) - Allows tribal members assistancewhile obtaining their GED through the Southeast Regional     Resource Center. 

2) Adult Vocational Training or Classroom Training (AVT & CRT) - Allows tribal members up to 24 months of training in a     vocational field of study and provides financial assistance while in training.  Also provides financial assistance to tribal members     interested in attending short-term Classroom Training courses that will enhance a tribal member's ability to obtain employment     or advance in their career. 

3) Higher Education (HE) - Offers scholarship grants to tribal members enrolled to a University and seeking Bachelors, Masters     and/or Doctorate degrees.

4) Work Experience (WE), On-The-Job Training (OJT), and Tribal Work Experience Program (TWEP) - Allows tribal members with     limited job seeking skills and work experience to gain actual experience under a training contract with an employer for up to     500 hours under WE and TWEP and up to 1000 hours under OJT and TWEP. 

5) Employability Assistance (EA) - Provides financial assistance for tribal members while searching for employment or enrolled in     a training program. 

6) Child Care (CC) - Provides assistance to tribal members in need of childcare.

7) Child Care Quality Improvement - Helps Native childcare providers with training, offers educational and safety equipment, and     access to the programs toy lending library and may provide assistance to Child Care Providers.

8) S.E. Alaska Tribal Veterans - Offers assistance to tribal members that are veterans in need of receiving Veterans     Administration Benefits. 

9) Youth Activities - Offers tribal youth between the ages of 14 - 21 with ten (10) weeks of employment opportunities in the     summer months usually between June and August.  If funds are available this program may provide tribal members with     scholarships to attend educational enhancement and leadership training activities.

10) Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) - Provides assistance to tribal members that have a disability that is impeding them from       becoming gainfully employed. This program works closely with the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to determine       customer needs as well as develop individual self-sufficiency plans. TVR Guide

11) Vocational Training Resource Center (VTRC) - Offers short-term training courses in Juneau for tribal members and non-tribal      members.  Some of the past courses include: Opportunities For Success, Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced      Computers, Small Business Planning Basics, Commercial Driver's License, Flagging, Oil and Furnace Technician, Steel      Building Erector, and many other courses.  Courses may range between a one-day course to 4 weeks of training depending      on the course.  VTRC will work with employers to develop training opportunities that meet the specific needs of the employer.       Tribal members interested in taking courses at the VTRC may submit application for financial assistance through the AVT or      CRT programs.  Tribal members interested in finding out more about the courses being offered, should call the school directly      at (907) 463-7375.

12) Tribal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) - Currently provides case management services to tribal members that       are recipients of the State's Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP).  The TANF program will officially start operating       on 7/1/2000 and this program will assist in issuing benefits to all tribal members receiving Food Stamps and ATAP that are       residing in Southeast Alaska.

13) Career Exploration and Job Development - Provides assistance to tribal members in assessments, resume preparation, work       search and referrals, and may provide other support services that aid in obtaining employment. 

14) Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) - Works with employers to identify and refer qualified workers on federally funded       projects that require Native preference, i.e., HUD, IHS, BIA Road projects.  Also provides assistance to tribal members in filing       charges of discrimination against employers.

1) Emphasize Work - Custodial and non-custodial parents of children needing assistance under this plan must work to the extent     of their ability.  We will make efforts to create opportunities for paid and unpaid employment.

2) Promote Self-Sufficiency - We will encourage all participants to move toward personal and community self-sufficiency.

3) Promote Education - We encourage all participants to complete at least a high school education or GED.  Other education     opportunities will be made available (to the extent possible) so that participants can enjoy greater opportunities to obtain work     that will produce sufficient income to support their families and contribute to their community.

4) Discourage Unwed Pregnancies - We will work with all sectors of the community to discourage out-of-wedlock pregnancies,     especially among teens.

5) Promote Family Stability - We encourage family stability by requiring teen parents to remain in their parent's or another     responsible adult's home.

6) Promote Responsibility - We encourage responsibility by requiring cooperation with efforts to ensure both parents provide     support for their children.

7) Discourage Dependency - We will assist families to develop a plan to reduce dependency on Tribal TANF assistance and to     assure that each family contributes to the community for any assistance it does receive.

Eligibility Requirements for Adults (18 years of age and older):

1) Must be tribally enrolled.

2) * Must be residing within the Service Delivery Area of Southeast Alaska for at least 30 days.

3) Must meet income guidelines for Employability Assistance.

4) Must be 18 years of age and/or legally emancipated and have their High School Diploma or GED.

5) Must be actively seeking employment and/or enrolled in a training program.

6) Must demonstrate a financial need.

* Some communities operate their own Bureau of Indian Affairs funded programs such as General Assistance, Adult Basic Education, Adult Vocational Training, Classroom Training, and Direct Employment Assistance.  Tribal members residing in any of the following communities must first apply for services through their local IRA offices:  Angoon, Douglas, Haines, Hoonah, Hydaburg, Sitka, Kake, Ketchikan, Klukwan, Metlakatla and Yakutat. 

Eligibility Requirements for Youth Activities Program:

1) Must be tribally enrolled as an Alaska Native and/or Native American;

2) Must be between 14 - 21 years of age;

3) Must be economically disadvantaged and/or meet income poverty guidelines;

4) Must be a resident of Southeast Alaska

5) Applicants with disabilities are eligible irregardless of household income.

Target Population:
Alaska Natives/Native Americans who are disadvantaged in competing for employment or in obtaining a higher paying position.  Tribal members who lack adequate experience, education, training, and job skills and are in need of assistance in obtaining meaningful employment.  We also serve Tribal members with special needs, i.e., physical or mental disabilities, who have difficulty obtaining or retaining employment.  Tribal members receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (ATAP) or are recipients of other welfare programs, who need to prepare for and find permanent employment.  And, we serve Tribal members that live where employment opportunities are limited due to location. 

Application Process:
Employment and Training Applications are available at the central office in Juneau and in each Community Liaison office, IRA office and Central Council field staff offices.  Applications are submitted to the Juneau office for processing.  An Intake Specialist will contact the applicant to schedule an appointment or to request additional documentation.   Employment and Training Specialists will prepare an Individual Employability Development Plans (EDPs) with applicants.  Employment and/or training activities will be provided to increase the applicant's marketable employment skills. 

Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.  Grants are awarded based on funding availability.  The application deadline for vocational and/or technical training is May 15th for the upcoming fall semester.  Applications are accepted year round for short-term Vocational, Technical, and Classroom Training courses, Employability Assistance, Child Care, Veterans Assistance, and Vocational Rehabilitation.

For more information on programs and/or services offered through CCTHITA's Employment & Training division, contact one of our staff.