Alaska’s transportation workforce detours: Maximizing training opportunities and outcomes in DOT&PF’s key industries

Abstract

Commissioned by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities in fall 2023, this report examines Alaska’s workforce in nine priority construction occupations, including laborers, carpenters, electricians, and truck drivers. The study aimed to assess current workforce characteristics, forecast growth, and explore strategies to increase participation by underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, and rural residents. Using interviews, surveys, labor data, and public datasets, the report presents detailed industry profiles that cover job nature, wages, workforce demographics, growth projections, training availability, and recruitment challenges. Key findings show that Alaska’s construction workforce is aging, with significant shortages projected across all priority occupations - particularly for truck drivers and operating engineers. Women represent a small fraction of the workforce, though training programs report higher female enrollment than current field representation. Rural and minority student participation remains low. Common challenges cited by employers include worker shortages, lack of skills, competition, and limited rural workforce availability. The report outlines crosscutting strategies to grow the workforce: expanding accessible training, targeted outreach, improving job value and retention, building partnerships, offering competitive compensation, and providing support services such as travel, housing, and childcare.