April 6, 2015 — Groups across Alaska want to keep the fishing industry strong and steady and increase the number of people who pursue maritime careers.
Industry sectors and state agencies across the state have compiled the Alaska Maritime Workforce Development Plan, which outlines different approaches to bolstering the industry, including increased training and more education programs.
Julie Matweyou of the Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program, led a three-member panel at ComFish which talked about supporting Kodiak through workforce development. Fisherman Oliver Holm was one of the speakers and says newcomers to the fishing industry need to have a lot of different skills.
“We’ve got all these younger people that will have to replace us before very long.,” says Holm. “And to be financially successful, they need to know more right up front than we did when I started, when things were relatively simple.”
Read the full story and listen to the audio from KMXT