KPBSD After School Academies

After-school academies begin in January 

Teens: do you want to learn construction, plumbing, or culinary arts skills? How about employability skills, Dental Assistant, Emergency Trauma Technician, or Personal Care Attendant skills? 

Local business owners: are you aware students receive this type of skill training? Would you consider hiring a student for part-time or summer work who has completed one of these after-school academies? 

Students may attend any after-school academy. Transportation may be provided if needed.

The following free after school academies will be offered through the Workforce Development Center beginning in January, 2012. 

Construction Academy begins January 5th at Skyview High School with instructor Barry Hartman. The students will be constructing a gazebo. The skills learned during this academy will help participants secure jobs in entry-level construction careers. This class will run Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. through March 8. 

Culinary Arts Academy begins January 10th at Nikiski High School with instructor Gary Wiebel. Students will learn safety in the workplace, safe food handling, nutrition and wellness, weights & measurements, purchasing & planning, basic cooking techniques, and earn the Alaska Food Handlers Card Prep Test. Class days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and occasional Saturdays. 

Emergency Trauma Technician (ETT) Academy will be held at Soldotna High School beginning January 12th through February 27th. Class days will be Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and occasional Saturdays from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. This course will cover all areas required to receive certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. The last week of class will be review and the final exam. Students who pass the exam will receive certification and an ETT patch. 

Employability Skills Academy begins January 9th at the Workforce Development Center. Class days will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students will learn resume writing, mock interviewing, job etiquette, basic job skills, how to apply for jobs and much more. 

Medical Terminology class begins Jan 5th at Soldotna High School with instructor Bruce Rife. Juniors or seniors who have had or are in Anatomy with a B or better or permission from the instructor (sophomores) may attend this class. Students interested in a career in Emergency Medical Services, Radiation Technology, Medical Coding, Medical Assisting, Health Information Technician, Physician Assistant, or Medical Doctor will definitely benefit from this class. You will learn basic word structure, digestive system, nervous and cardiovascular system, respiratory system and much more. Class days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. thru April 26. Students with a grade B or better in this class will earn Tech Prep KPC college credit. 

A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) class is available for juniors and seniors only. Students will learn how to physically care for people. Students who are close to the age of May 18, 2012, will receive a State Certificate after passing the exam. This class size is limited to only 12 students. Textbooks will be provided, however they are available to purchase for $35.00 if a student chooses to keep their book. There is a mandatory meeting in the nursing lab at Skyview High School at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 9. During this meeting, class times will be set depending on student and instructor’s schedule. 

Plumbing Academy begins February 6th at Soldotna High School with instructor Tyson Cox. This will be an introduction to care and use of tools, fittings and materials used in the plumbing and heating trade to safely transfer fluids and gases. Class days are Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through April 23. 

Upcoming academies with dates and times yet to be determined: Construction (Kenai and Ninilchik), and Dental Assistant. 

High school students may attend any of the academies at any of the schools. All academies are free.

If a student successfully completes any of the 60-hour academies they are eligible to receive a half practical art credit. 

To sign up contact your high school counselor or contact Debbie Pearson at 283-2145, or e-mail dpearson@kpbsd.org. (Contact Debbie Pearson over winter break with your questions.) 

Funding for the Alaska Construction Academies comes from a grant from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, The Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development and The Alaska Youth First Program.  

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