In many ways, Alaskans have come through the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever. However, despite a resilient recovery, there are still some significant challenges to overcome — particularly when it comes to Alaska’s workforce. Many employers are still struggling to find qualified workers to fill needed roles. Skilled professionals in a variety of sectors are backlogged across the state, leaving anxious customers waiting for a chance to hire them and use their services. Adding insult to injury, current Alaska law makes it difficult for skilled professionals from other states to move to Alaska and use their talents here. Fortunately, a new proposal to establish a system of universal temporary licensure is being considered in the Legislature and, if it passes, could go a long way toward overcoming these challenges.
While the pandemic certainly didn’t help, many of Alaska’s workforce challenges have been building for years. Last year, 2,489 more people moved out of Alaska than into it, making 2022 the 10th year in a row in which more people have left the state than moved in. Moreover, Alaska’s working age population (defined as residents between the ages of 18 and 64) has been on a steady decline since its 2013 peak. According to a state demographer, Alaska’s working age population declined by 5.4% between 2013 and 2021, with only West Virginia and Wyoming experiencing larger declines during that period. With these challenges in mind, lifting barriers that make it more difficult for people to relocate to Alaska should be a top priority.
One of the most significant barriers faced by prospective Alaskans is an onerous occupational licensing system. Occupational licenses are the most stringent form of occupational regulation, forbidding work in the relevant occupation before various requirements, including the completion minimum levels of education, the passage of exams, and the payment of fees to the state, are met. But even when a professional has already met these requirements and maintains a license in good standing in another state, Alaska law prohibits these licensed professionals from moving here and using their skills and experience to serve Alaskans without starting all over — regardless of how many years or even decades of experience they might have.
Continue reading at Anchorage Daily News.
Ben Wilterdink is the former Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute. Follow him @bgwilterdink.
Economics of Flourishing
In many ways, Alaskans have come through the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever. However, despite a resilient recovery, there are still some significant challenges to overcome — particularly when it comes to Alaska’s workforce. Many employers are still struggling to find qualified workers to fill needed roles. Skilled professionals in a variety of sectors are backlogged across the state, leaving anxious customers waiting for a chance to hire them and use their services. Adding insult to injury, current Alaska law makes it difficult for skilled professionals from other states to move to Alaska and use their talents here. Fortunately, a new proposal to establish a system of universal temporary licensure is being considered in the Legislature and, if it passes, could go a long way toward overcoming these challenges.
While the pandemic certainly didn’t help, many of Alaska’s workforce challenges have been building for years. Last year, 2,489 more people moved out of Alaska than into it, making 2022 the 10th year in a row in which more people have left the state than moved in. Moreover, Alaska’s working age population (defined as residents between the ages of 18 and 64) has been on a steady decline since its 2013 peak. According to a state demographer, Alaska’s working age population declined by 5.4% between 2013 and 2021, with only West Virginia and Wyoming experiencing larger declines during that period. With these challenges in mind, lifting barriers that make it more difficult for people to relocate to Alaska should be a top priority.
One of the most significant barriers faced by prospective Alaskans is an onerous occupational licensing system. Occupational licenses are the most stringent form of occupational regulation, forbidding work in the relevant occupation before various requirements, including the completion minimum levels of education, the passage of exams, and the payment of fees to the state, are met. But even when a professional has already met these requirements and maintains a license in good standing in another state, Alaska law prohibits these licensed professionals from moving here and using their skills and experience to serve Alaskans without starting all over — regardless of how many years or even decades of experience they might have.
Continue reading at Anchorage Daily News.
Ben Wilterdink
Ben Wilterdink is the former Director of Programs at the Archbridge Institute. Follow him @bgwilterdink.
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