Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development

10/23/2026

𝗔𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵-𝗮𝘀-𝗮-𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱-𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Scammers are pretending to be attorneys and offering to represent workers in workers' compensation cases, wrongful termination matters, immigration hearings and other legal issues. Victims are asked to pay money upfront and are then given fake hearings over the phone or by video, with scammers pretending to be the judge and other parties.

These scammers often claim the worker has been awarded tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars but must first pay "court fees" to receive the money. This is a scam.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀:
• Alaska DOLWD will never call you to ask for money.
• All official hearings are conducted in person at a State of Alaska office.

If you have questions or concerns, contact the appropriate office:
• 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: (907) 269-4980
• 𝗪𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿 (𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀): (907) 269-4900
• 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 (𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀): (907) 269-4940

Your safety and rights matter. If something feels suspicious, please reach out before providing any personal information or payment.

10/16/2026

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮'𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize the valuable contributions that dedicated workers with disabilities bring to businesses and communities across Alaska.
A strong state economy depends on tapping into every resource available. Connecting qualified Alaskans with disabilities with Alaskan employers who need their skills strengthens businesses, reduces turnover, and builds a resilient local workforce.
To celebrate NDEAM and help Alaska businesses hire qualified employees, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education hosted the Employment First Conference: "Striking Gold: Alaska's Untapped Workforce." The conference was designed for all sectors and sizes of employers, employment support providers and healthcare workforce members, and individuals with disabilities ready to join the workforce.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
On October 12, Governor Mike Dunleavy proclaimed this week as Employment First Awareness Week, and encouraged Alaska to recognize the value of competitive and integrated employment for all Alaskans. Read a copy of the proclamation here: https://gov.alaska.gov/employment-first-awareness-week-2026/

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
DOLWD Commissioner Cathy Muñoz and Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg gave introductory remarks at the Employment First Conference, highlighting the powerful impacts of employment to provide meaning and purpose to life, and its impacts on public health.
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month reminds us that true economic growth happens when every Alaskan has the opportunity to contribute. By embracing accessible hiring practices and utilizing resources like those shared at the Employment First Conference, Alaska's business community can unlock incredible talent, drive innovation, and build a stronger, more resilient workforce for years to come.

10/10/2026

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https://www.instagram.com/p/DeNeusVF6XP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&mdxt=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

🏆 Big congratulations to the OSHA On-Site Consultation programs in Alaska and Nevada for earning OSCAR Awards! The On-Site Consultation Achievement Recognition (OSCAR) Award is a prestigious national honor presented by OSHA to state consultation programs that demonstrate outstanding performance i...

10/08/2026

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is proud to support the 2026 Alaska Workforce Convening! The two-day convening brings together workforce development leaders from government, education, industry and nonprofit sectors to work together on addressing challenges in Alaska, and to continue advancing the objectives outlined in Alaska's Workforce Future, including enhancing career awareness among young Alaskans, retaining Alaskans and attracting new Alaskans, among other shared goals. You can read Alaska's Workforce Future on the Alaska Workforce Investment Board's website.

DOLWD Commissioner Cathy Muñoz provided opening remarks yesterday alongside Alaska Safety Alliance Chair Elect Randy Sulte. Pictured with Alaska Safety Alliance President/CEO Cari Ann Carty, Alaska Workforce Convening sponsor Miles Baker, and AEDC President/CEO Johathan Bittner.

DOLWD remains committed to supporting Alaskans to obtain and keep great jobs in Alaska.

10/06/2026

The DOLWD Alaska Occupational Safety and Health, Consultation and Training team, recently received an Oscar Award! While we don’t have a gold statue or red-carpet photos, we do have a nice plaque.
The AKOSH Consultation & Training team was recognized with OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Achievement Recognition award (also known as an OSCAR Award), for establishing the Alaska Seafood Safety Committee (ASSC). The award recognizes exceptional initiatives by state consultation programs that go beyond routine consultation services to advance workplace safety and health.
The award plaque recognizing AKOSH says:
“For establishing the Alaska Seafood Safety Committee that has united seafood processing facilities, academic institutions, public health professionals, safety experts and industry leaders under a continuous improvement framework that supports ongoing collaboration, problem-solving, and training development to identify and address occupational safety and health hazards and reduce the risks for Alaska’s seafood workforce.”
Since its launch in 2025, the Alaska Seafood Safety Committee has created a statewide forum for sharing practical solutions, addressing common hazards, and strengthening safety collaboration across shore plants, floating processors, and vessels.
Special thanks to the seafood employers participating in the committee, including Copper River Seafoods, E&E Foods Inc., OBI Seafoods, Leader Creek, UNISEA, Silver Bay Seafoods, North Pacific Seafoods Inc., Trident Seafoods and others. Their commitment to sharing expertise, experiences, and practical solutions helps strengthen safety and health protections for workers throughout Alaska’s seafood industry.
This recognition celebrates a shared commitment to turning collaboration into action — and building a safer, healthier future for Alaska’s seafood workforce.

10/02/2026

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Commissioner Muñoz was honored to participate in two panels at the Southeast Conference this week in Ketchikan. She joined partners from the University of Alaska Southeast and the Alaska Safety Alliance to highlight our collaborative efforts to strengthen maritime workforce development in the region. Commissioner Muñoz also took part in the Commissioner's Panel, joining Commissioners from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Department of Fish & Game, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. Commissioner Muñoz addressed updates on initiatives from the Department to support Alaska’s workforce.
Grateful for the productive conversations and continued partnership across Southeast Alaska.

09/18/2026

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is proud to have been featured in Governor Dunleavy's executive proclamation establishing the week of September 20th as 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆 𝗢𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸. Older workers play an increasingly important role in Alaska's economy as reservoirs of institutional knowledge and champions of the kind of work ethic that has secured Alaska's leadership in the global marketplace.

The Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training Program (MASST) administered by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation represents the department's flagship program intended to foster individual economic self-sufficiency in Alaskans aged 55 or older. By helping them obtain employable skills through community service and work-based training programs, this program helps Alaska retain valuable workers while strengthening their own independence and the independence of their communities.

Working in conjunction with the Alaska Commission on Aging, our department is working to raise awareness of the value of this foundational sector of our economy. The Commissioner, alongside Governor Dunleavy, urges those who are engaged in job placement, training, and related services to strengthen their efforts in helping Alaskan seniors find suitable jobs and training.

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the heroic sacrifice of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania left an indelible mark on this great nation. Join us on this Patriot Day as we fly our colors at half-mast in remembrance of the victims and first responders whose lives were lost, as well as the members of our armed forces who protect the American people every day.

09/08/2026

𝗔𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: Our 2026 Third Quarter Alaska Employer Newsletter is now available online!
https://labor.alaska.gov/estax/newsletters/newsltr0326.pdf

See past newsletters here: https://www.labor.state.ak.us/estax/newsletters/toc_news.htm

09/07/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗮!
Alaska's workers are the backbone of our economy. Labor Day is a state and national holiday, celebrating the dedication, resilience and hard work of America's workers who keep our communities strong and our state moving forward. Thank you for everything you do!

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, all our DOLWD offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. All offices will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Wishing everyone a safe and restful Labor Day!