Resolution 14-103 A Resolution of the Homer City Council in Support of the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan

 CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                                       Mayor

RESOLUTION 14-103

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE ALASKA MARITIME WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

               WHEREAS, Alaska’s maritime sector employs a workforce of over 70,000 skilled workers, making the maritime sector the largest private sector employer in Alaska; and

WHEREAS, The maritime sector is critical to the economy of Homer; and

WHEREAS, Many of the marine sector jobs in Homer require a high degree of technical and professional skill and pay family-sustaining wages; and

               WHEREAS, Alaska maritime employers are contending with a ‘graying’ workforce, and seek to expand the number of Alaskans throughout the state who have the employability and technical skills, expertise and motivation to be competitive in the job market; and

Whereas, Alaska’s Governor and University of Alaska President together established an initiative that engaged with industry leaders, employers and the State of Alaska to develop the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan; and

Whereas, An Industry Advisory Committee is now in place to work with the State and with the University of Alaska system to implement the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan; and

WHEREAS, The Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan is a call to action for industry, educators and state government to work together to keep this economic sector vibrant, to grow the number of Alaskans comprising this workforce and to ensure Alaskans are qualified to fill the skilled and well-paid Alaska maritime positons; and

WHEREAS, The Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan seeks to address issues of workforce recruitment, retention, training in job readiness and in core competencies and ongoing professional development in emerging and high demand occupational categories; and

WHEREAS, The Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan will be implemented most effectively through an industry-led process that involves the joint efforts of industry, the Alaska Departments of Labor and Workforce Development and Education and Early Childhood Development, the University of Alaska system, regional training centers and other education providers, community development quota (CDQ) organizations, tribal and local government, the K-12 educational system and other training providers; and

WHEREAS, Workforce development has been identified by the City of Homer as a priority in the Comprehensive Plan and the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

               NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska, supports the Alaska Maritime Development Plan and the cooperative efforts of the Industry Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to implement the strategies contained in the plan.

               PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 13th day of October, 2014.

                                                                                          CITY OF HOMER 

                                                                                          _____________________

                                                                                          MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR 

ATTEST:

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK