Free job skills program in Wasilla expands to all Mat-Su adults

What you need to know:

• A free job skills program at Wasilla High School is now open to all adult Mat-Su residents, expanding beyond its initial focus on Ukrainian refugees.
• The program offers four-week courses in construction, electrical work, automotive and small engine repair, marketing, and small business operations. The classes are designed to help students qualify for local jobs.
• The program provides free dinner and on-site child care for children age 3 and older. New classes begin April 4 and May 2.

WASILLA - A free job skills program based at Wasilla High School is newly expanding its spring enrollment to all adult Mat-Su residents, with classes starting early next month, officials said.

“We continue to hear from employers that ‘we don’t have enough employees,’” said Wasilla High Principal Jason Marvel, who is spearheading the after-hours program. “And so we just really wanted to expand it so that we can provide viable candidates for employers.”

The Warrior Nations Community Schools program connects adult students with a series of four-week career and technical courses designed to help them qualify for local jobs, officials said.

When first announced late last year, the program was offered only to Ukrainian refugees resettled in the region due to federal funding limitations. A new grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation means it can expand now rather than wait for additional federal funding expected later this year, Marvel said. (The Mat-Su Sentinel also receives some funding from the Mat-Su Health Foundation.)

The community school offers classes that help students work toward certifications in construction, electrical, automotive and small engine repair, or gain skills in marketing and small business operations, Marvel said. Students can enroll in one set of classes or continue their education by signing up for additional courses, he said.

So far, the program has worked with 78 students, all of whom were Ukrainian refugees, Marvel said. Of those, 21 were connected directly with employers before the end of the session, and eight were hired immediately, he said.

Sessions are held weekly, with free dinner provided and on-site child care available for children ages 3 and older, officials said. Upcoming sessions begin April 4 and May 2, according to the program's website. An eight-week Yamaha outboard certification course begins April 4, according to the website.

Most of the program's courses are limited to about 20 students, Marvel said. The Yamaha outboard certification course is limited to 15 students, he said.

The program rents space at Wasilla High School and is not affiliated with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, Marvel said.

Residents can enroll or learn more about the classes at the Warrior Nations Community Schools program website.

-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com.