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Building Alaska ’ s Hospitality Workforce
WELCOME

Letter from the President

Building Alaska ’ s Hospitality Workforce

September marks the 20th anniversary of the Alaska CHARR Educational Fund ( Ed Fund ). For those of you who have no idea what the Ed Fund is or does , the charity was formed by the Alaska CHARR Board of Directors in 2002 to raise and distribute scholarship funds to degree-seeking college students who planned to use their education and skills as future leaders and workers in Alaska ’ s hospitality industry . The Ed Fund has proudly distributed over $ 470,000 in scholarships to students from around the state for advancement in their careers in Alaska hospitality .

Twenty years later , we at Alaska CHARR and the Ed Fund see the need for more . Alaska ’ s hospitality industry has never faced a workforce shortage like it does today . Even with record-high wage offerings and extensive benefit options , employees just aren ’ t there ; nearly every business I have spoken with over the past two years has faced hardships due to worker shortages .

THE ALASKA CHARR DREAM TEAM IS DILIGENTLY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A ROLLING MULTI-YEAR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
and educated about careers in Alaska hospitality . Her passion for future hospitality leaders extends well beyond high-school-aged students , and I am excited to work with her on expanding our operations to help solve the greatest , ever-increasing challenge our industry faces .
We are expanding the Ed Fund ’ s scope to include vast , diverse workforce development strategies and programs in partnership with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ; the State of Alaska ’ s Department of Labor & Workforce Development , Department of Corrections , Department of Education & Early Development , and Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office ; multiple colleges at the University of Alaska campuses ; the United States government including branches of the military and the U . S . Department of Housing and Urban Development ; other nonprofit and support organizations around the state ; and hospitality businesses .

So what do we do ?
I am proud to say that the Alaska CHARR Dream Team is diligently developing and implementing a rolling multi-year workforce development plan to provide this vital industry with what it needs most . While we continue to advocate for new and increased worker visas for international hospitality workers to help meet workforce demands , I have expanded our team to include a new Workforce Development Director who many of you may already know . BreeAnna Erickson has served as our ProStart Coordinator for the past three years , working primarily on getting high school students excited
What does this mean for you ?
More Alaska hospitality workers are coming , and they will be prepared . Stay tuned !
At your service ,
SARAH OATES , ALASKA CHARR PRESIDENT & CEO
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