FnF News
FNF News | June 3, 2025
Alaska Pushes for Local Workforce in Resource Development Amid Rising Outsider Employment
As Alaska embarks on a renewed phase of resource development, state leaders and residents are advocating for increased employment opportunities for Alaskans, emphasizing the importance of local hiring in the face of growing nonresident participation in the state’s workforce.
Surge in Nonresident Employment
Recent data from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development reveals that in 2023, nonresident workers constituted 22.5% of the state’s workforce, marking an all-time high. Industries such as construction, tourism, and seafood processing have seen significant increases in nonresident hires, with the construction sector on the North Slope experiencing a near tripling of its nonresident workforce from 2022 to 2023. (Alaska Business Magazine, Alaska Beacon)
State Initiatives to Promote Local Hiring
In response to these trends, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, in collaboration with the Alaska Safety Alliance, has introduced “Alaska’s Workforce Future,” a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing career awareness, expanding training programs, and improving access to post-secondary education for Alaskans. The initiative seeks to create regional workforce development teams and foster collaboration between various stakeholders to implement strategies that prioritize local employment. (Alaska Labor Department)
Economic Opportunities in Resource Development
The state’s focus on resource development, including projects like the Willow Project and the proposed $44 billion Alaska LNG pipeline, presents significant employment opportunities. State officials and industry leaders are emphasizing the need to ensure that these projects benefit Alaskans by providing jobs and stimulating the local economy. (AP News)
Community Perspectives
Many Alaskans express a strong desire for resource development projects to prioritize local hiring. Residents emphasize that employing Alaskans not only supports the state’s economy but also ensures that those who understand and value the local environment and communities are at the forefront of development efforts.