Wells Fargo makes investment in Alaska Vocational and Technical Center scholarship fund

July 24, 2026
No. 26-14

HOMER — On July 23, the Alaska Vocational and Technical Center (AVTEC), a Division of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), received a $250,000 donation to expand scholarship opportunities for Alaskans to obtain vocational training, and faculty support. A leading vocational center in the state, AVTEC intends to use this donation to help remove barriers for Alaskans seeking to obtain career training.

The donation from Wells Fargo was announced at an event hosted at Homer's Bay Weld Boats and attended by Governor Mike Dunleavy, local leaders, bank representatives, Bay Weld Boats employees, and AVTEC Director Cory Ortiz. The event also featured remarks from "Dirty Jobs'" Mike Rowe. The mikeroweWORKS Foundation funds scholarships across the nation to prepare Americans for careers in the skilled trades. Alaskans have applied for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation scholarship and have been awarded them to help fund tuition at AVTEC.

"Alaska is the land of opportunity to build rewarding careers in a broad array of industries," said Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. "Public and private sector investment, working together, can provide more options for economic growth, and the development of the next generation of Alaskans to get and retain great jobs."

"Strong communities depend on a skilled workforce and access to opportunity," said Jason Rosenberg, Head of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo. "Our support of AVTEC is an investment in Alaska's workforce and its long-term economic growth."

"This extraordinary investment from Wells Fargo is an investment in Alaska's future workforce," said AVTEC Director Cory Ortiz. "Every scholarship awarded and every instructor we recruit and retain strengthens our ability to prepare skilled Alaskans for high-demand careers that keep our state moving. We're incredibly grateful for Wells Fargo's partnership and their commitment to expanding opportunity for students across our state."

"I'm grateful to Wells Fargo for their support of workforce development at AVTEC," said DOLWD Commissioner Cathy Muñoz. "Expanding support for Alaskans will open the door for more Alaskans to attend industry-recognized training."

Located in Seward, , AVTEC is an excellent place for Alaskans from across the state to gain key employability and technical skills and start a career in less than a year. For information about the training opportunities at AVTEC, visit avtec.edu or contact admissions at (907) 224-3322 or admissions@avtec.edu.