The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
The mining newspaper for Alaska and Canada's North
North of 60 Mining News - December 11, 2024
A welder at Coeur Alaska's Kensington gold mine about 45 miles north of Juneau, Alaska.
University of Alaska Southeast Technical Education Center in Juneau, Alaska.
Coeur Alaska Inc. has committed to investing $100,000 to cover tuition and fees for local high school students taking diesel and welding courses at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) School of Career and Technical Education in Juneau.
"We are excited to partner with UAS on this workforce development initiative," said Steve Ball, general manager at Coeur Alaska's Kensington gold mine about 45 miles north of Juneau. "By investing in local students, we are not only fostering their future success but also building a strong and sustainable workforce for Southeast Alaska's mining industry and beyond."
UAS says the commitment to cover tuition and fees for diesel and welding students through the spring semester of 2026 also significantly bolsters the sustainability of the Mining Pathways program, which is a collaboration between industry, UAS, and the Juneau School District to introduce students to the fields of power technology, environmental science, and geology.
"The support from Coeur Alaska significantly strengthens this program's ability to inspire and prepare the next generation of mining professionals," said University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Aparna Palmer. "Their commitment underscores the importance of education-industry partnerships in fostering economic and workforce development in our region."
University of Alaska Southeast Technical Education Center in Juneau, Alaska.
The Diesel 101 and Welding 120 courses supported by Coeur Alaska's funding are scheduled for "zero hour," or before the start of the regular school day. This allows students to complete the courses for university credit while finishing high school.
The Juneau high schoolers who take these classes gain hands-on experience, earn college credits, and are set on a clear path from high school to rewarding careers at mines and other businesses that require the skills taught under the program.
Coeur Alaska's support of this program also helps bolster the future mining workforce. Despite paying an average salary of well over $100,000 per year, a shortage of local workers is a top concern for Alaska's mining industry.
The UAS Mining Pathways program, which is set to become an occupational endorsement certificate in the fall of 2025, aims to build a skilled and vibrant workforce in Southeast Alaska and inspire high school students to explore the diverse and high-paying careers in mining.
Coeur Alaska, which is a subsidiary of Coeur Mining Inc., has been a longtime supporter of UAS and the Juneau economy. In addition to supporting the Mining Pathways program, the company established the Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine Environmental Science Award at UAS over 30 years ago.
Coeur's Kensington mine is the second-largest private sector employer and taxpayer in the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska.
Over his more than 16 years of covering mining and mineral exploration, Shane has become renowned for his ability to report on the sector in a way that is technically sound enough to inform industry insiders while being easy to understand by a wider audience.
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