Representatives from Alaska agencies, schools, businesses and institutions will meet in Anchorage on March 6th and 7th, 2019 for the “65 by 2025 Alaska Can – Looking Ahead” Conference.
The conference focus and goal is to unite cross-sector professionals in increasing the numbers of Alaskans enrolling and succeeding in postsecondary education. Participant takeaways will include practical skills to overcome common obstacles, new and strengthened partnerships, lessons from stories of success, and identification of opportunities for program alignment.
The Preliminary Agenda is now available and there is still time to register! This event is organized by the Network.
What is the Network?
The Alaska Postsecondary Access & Completion Network (AKA the Network) is a cross-sector group of Alaskans dedicated to building and strengthening partnerships to increase the percentage of all Alaskans who complete postsecondary education, particularly credentials relevant to a robust Alaskan economy.
What is the goal of the Network?
Central to the Network’s efforts is the statewide attainment goal of “65 by 2025” which refers to the need to increase the percentage of working-age Alaskans who hold postsecondary credentials to 65% by the year 2025.
What does Postsecondary Credential mean?
Postsecondary Credentials are any education that results in a certificate, degree or endorsements, including but not limited to the following:
- Completion of an Apprenticeship Program
- Industry-Recognized Licensure, Workforce Credential, or Occupational Endorsement Certificate
- Career or Technical Education Certificate
- Associates, Bachelors, or Masters Degree
- Doctoral, Professional or Advanced Degree
Why is reaching the goal of 65 by 2025 important for Alaska?
For many years, Alaska has consistently ranked among the poorest performing states in postsecondary access and completion. Alaska currently ranks 49th in the United States at 29.5 undergraduate credentials awarded per 1,000 18 to 34 year-olds with no college degree, and is one of a minority of states with higher rates of degree completion among 35 to 65 year-olds than 18 to 34 year-olds.
Meanwhile, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development projects that roughly 65% of Alaska’s fastest growing, high wage jobs will require some form of postsecondary credential by the year 2020. With levels of postsecondary participation, retention and completion consistently rating amount the lowest in the nation, immediate and focused action to improve postsecondary access and completion in Alaska is critical.
What are the Networks objectives and how do they plan to assist Alaska in reaching the goal of “65 by 2025”?
The Network’s Objectives are to:
- Create synergy
- Reduce duplication of effort across membership
- And disseminate best practices and develop complementary messaging by state programs, agencies and organizations to encourage and support attainment
One of the ways the Network is trying to meet their objectives is through their annual Alaska CAN! Conference Register Now!
If you would like to learn more about the Network and the work they are doing, please visit their website at http://65by2025.org/