Juneau is entering a major construction boom, with nearly $1 billion in projects starting in the next year. These developments will require 600–650 skilled laborers each year for the next four years—far more than the current local workforce can supply. Without local investment, many of these jobs will be filled from outside the region, reducing economic benefits and limiting opportunities for Juneau youth.

To address this need, Trade Up Juneau connects recent high school graduates with paid training, paid job-site experience, and direct pathways into a career in skilled trades. Coordinated by the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) and supported by a cross‑sector partnership that includes the Juneau School District, University of Alaska Southeast, local unions, employers, and community organizations, this program prepares local young adults with the necessary skills to take part in building Juneau’s future.

We are seeking:

• • Interested participants – Juneau School District students and recent graduates (age 18 and older) ready to gain hands-on skills, earn workplace safety certifications, and move into paid internships with clear pathways to post-secondary training, registered apprenticeships, and local trades careers.
  • Local companies – Local employers and unions willing to host young, aspiring trades professionals for at least four weeks (up to eight weeks) and help develop members of Juneau’s skilled workforce.

Help us connect local talent to local opportunities and strengthen Juneau’s long-term economic future through the trades!