Friday Focus: Real skill keeps Alaska running
A student works on a welding project at the UAF Community and Technical College in Fairbanks, Alaska.
May 8, 2026
— By Kevin Alexander, dean, UAF Community and Technical College
Alaskans know better than most: it takes real skill to keep a state this big running
smoothly.
Wednesday was National Skilled Trades Day, an opportunity to recognize the people
whose knowledge and expertise help keep Alaska running every day. I hope you celebrated
and thanked a skilled trades professional for their hard work (if not, there's still
an opportunity)! At the Career and Technical College, we’re proud to support that
work as part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ mission.
Higher education takes many forms. Sometimes it happens in a laboratory or lecture
hall, and sometimes in a welding booth, healthcare simulation lab, aircraft hangar
or construction site. When a paramedic responds to an emergency, a diesel technician
keeps equipment running or a welder maintains critical infrastructure, the impact
reaches far beyond a single job site. These careers support public safety, transportation,
healthcare access and the daily functioning of businesses and communities across Alaska.
CTC students are preparing for high‑demand careers in healthcare, aviation maintenance,
emergency services, cybersecurity, culinary arts, construction management, automotive
and diesel technology, welding and more. This education offers meaningful opportunities
for lifelong careers, and Alaska needs more skilled workers than ever. They require
technical mastery, adaptability, critical thinking, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
The breadth and depth of what CTC students are accomplishing are truly impressive.
Our students come with different goals. Some head straight into the workforce; others stack certificates or continue into further university degrees. Increasingly, technical and academic education aren’t separate tracks; they’re connected pathways that help Alaskans keep growing throughout their careers.
As we recognize National Skilled Trades Day, I want to thank the faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and industry partners who make our work possible. Every day, you contribute to workforce development, resulting in stronger communities and a better quality of life for all Alaskans.
Our students come with different goals. Some head straight into the workforce; others stack certificates or continue into further university degrees. Increasingly, technical and academic education aren’t separate tracks; they’re connected pathways that help Alaskans keep growing throughout their careers.
As we recognize National Skilled Trades Day, I want to thank the faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and industry partners who make our work possible. Every day, you contribute to workforce development, resulting in stronger communities and a better quality of life for all Alaskans.
Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF's leadership team every
week. On occasion, a guest writer is invited to contribute a column.