At Covenant House Alaska’s Covey Academy, we are at a critical stage in developing a program that truly prepares young Alaskans for success in the workforce. Based on our first year’s results and feedback from partners, students, and local businesses, it is clear we must double down on teaching core “soft” and workforce readiness skills.
We have selected the nationally-recognized Life Skills Reimagined program to create a robust training experience focused on developing essential skills such as effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and professionalism. Through interactive skills labs, workshops, group activities and hands-on education, our youth will gain vital real-world competencies.
“We have learned that we must reinforce the core skills that will enable young people to become successful in the workforce,” said Covey Academy Director Heidi Redick. “Life Skills Reimagined will allow us to build a strong foundation of workforce readiness through an engaging, proven curriculum.”
This 60-hour comprehensive program covers five key areas: personal finance, resiliency, communication, getting and keeping a job, and independent living skills. Its trauma-informed, evidence-based approach has been shown to increase learners’ knowledge and confidence significantly, with participants reporting a 50% boost in self-assurance after completion.
Once our students have a solid grasp of these fundamentals, they will embark on career exploration through workplace tours, job shadowing, career weeks and more. The overarching goal is to facilitate meaningful internships, apprenticeships or entry-level job placements that align with each young person’s interests and aptitudes.
None of this transformative work would be possible without the generosity of our longstanding partner, ConocoPhillips. Their recent $100,000 donation which will support Life Skills Reimagined demonstrates an unwavering 30-year commitment to developing Alaska’s future workforce and investing in our state’s young leaders.
“We are immensely grateful for ConocoPhillips’ support, which will empower more of Alaska’s youth to build brighter futures through the crucial skills provided by Life Skills Reimagined at Covey Academy,” said Redick.
By focusing on workforce readiness, we can open doors to meaningful career opportunities and break cycles of poverty and adversity. Join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter as we further equip Alaska’s young people with the tools for lifelong success!
Please reach out to Kerry Reifel, Covenant House Communication’s Officer at communications@covenanthousealaska.org if you would like more details about this exciting new initiative.
