Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) invests in residents’ education and career goals, understanding that strengthening individuals also strengthens our communities in ways that hit more than just economics. With economic development as our guide, NSEDC provides education, employment and training opportunities for the residents in our 15 member communities in a multitude of ways.
Education
NSEDC offers scholarships to students enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university or vocational school. These scholarships provide supplemental funds for higher education or vocational training in the amount of $2,500 per semester or training session.
The NSEDC Board of Directors feels one of the best ways to stimulate economic development in the Norton Sound region is to invest in the education of our residents. This investment helps enable residents to obtain the education required to qualify for jobs available in the region that would otherwise be filled by outside expertise. From 1992 to 2014, the NSEDC Scholarship Committee, on behalf of the NSEDC Board of Directors, has awarded more than $7 million in scholarships.
- NSEDC Scholarship Guidelines
- NSEDC Scholarship Application
- Residency Verification Form
- NSEDC Continuing Scholarship Application
NSEDC is one of five organizations that provides an all-in-one application for students in the Norton Sound region. Through MyCache (Combined Application for College & Higher Education), students fill out one application that includes a few added question unique for each scholarship.
- Online MyCACHE Application
- MyCACHE (printable)
- MyCACHE Continuing (printable)
Growing Our Own Teachers
NSEDC is proud to have in place two programs geared to help increase the number of Norton Sound residents working as teachers in our public schools. Introduced in January of 2018, the Student Loan Repayment Program and Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant aim to have those who know our region and cultures best teaching the next generation. The Student Loan Repayment Program repays up to $20,000 of a resident’s student loans incurred in the pursuit of their degree and certification required to teach in our region’s public schools. The Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant makes up to $40,000 available annually for eligible nonprofit organizations and schools in the region that have projects related to increasing the number of home-grown teachers. Individual awards under this program are capped at $20,000. The links below provide more information and applications for both programs.
Student Loan Repayment Program Guidelines and Application – NEW!
Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant Application – NEW!
Employment
The NSEDC EET Program also works to connect residents to employment opportunities with many of our industry partners, including jobs under NSEDC, Norton Sound Seafood Products, and CDQ partners including Glacier Fish Company (GFC), and Siku Holdings (Aleutian No. 1 and Patricia Lee). Glacier Fish Company employs successful trainees, who are certified from AVTEC in Seward. NSEDC provides internship opportunities under NSEDC, GFC, Kawerak, Inc., and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game among others. In addition, NSEDC promotes employment opportunities in the Bering Sea fisheries. For interested seafood processors who prefer to work on land, jobs are available with companies like Westward Seafoods and Icicle Seafoods.
NSEDC works with GFC, who harvests our allocation of pollock in the Bering Sea with the F/T Pacific Glacier and the F/T Alaska Ocean. A significant portion of our crab holding are harvested by Siku Holdings, which includes the vessels Aleutian No. 1 and Patricia Lee.
Training
Fisheries Safety Orientation Class
Realizing that commercial fishing in Alaska is an occupation with inherent risks, NSEDC invests heavily in the safety of our seafood processors. Since 1992, NSEDC has sponsored an eight-day Fisheries Safety Orientation Class at the Alaska Vocational Technical Education Center (AVTEC) in Seward.
All expenses for transportation, food, lodging, and tuition for trainees are paid by NSEDC. In compliance with the U.S. Coast Guard Zero Tolerance law, all trainees must submit to a drug screen urinalysis with negative results and abstain from alcohol. The certified seafood processors of this program are eligible for hire by Glacier Fish Company of Seattle and other trawler companies and seafood employers on sea and/or on land. During the training, Glacier Fish Company human resources personnel from Seattle interview trainees for possible employment. Each trainee must have two pieces of identification to work on the high seas, a picture identification (i.e. Alaska Driver’s License, Alaska State identification) and a birth certificate or Social Security card.
Community Based Training
NSEDC’s Community Based Training program has sponsored several educational opportunities in our member communities:
- Global Positioning System (GPS) training
- Marine Crew Safety training
- AMSEA Drill Instructor training
- Sled building
- Inupiaq language
- Beading
- Skin sewing
- CPR and First Aid
- QuickBooks
- Crab pot building
- Driver’s license and CDL training
- Traditional bowl and spoon making
- HAZWOPER training
These training opportunities are available upon request from the communities. A minimum of 10 interested residents is required before the training can be approved. Request a Community Based Training class in your community:
Community Based Training Guidelines
Community Based Training Application
Community Employment Program
Every summer, NSEDC provides funding to municipalities and tribal organizations to hire individuals seeking education beyond high school. The Community Employment Program benefits the community organizations, along with the students returning home for summer employment.
Community Employment Program Guidelines
Community Employment Program Application
Norton Sound Seafood Products training
Depending on their positions, Norton Sound Seafood Products personnel have received training in OSHA Safety Regulations, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, Refrigeration, Quality Control, and Operator of Uninspected Passenger vessel (OUPV) or six-pack license.
For more information contact: Niaomi Brunette at 907.274-2248 or 800.650.2248.
