What Alaska Vocational Technical Center does

AVTEC is a state-operated vocational and technical training institution headquartered in Seward, Alaska. Founded in 1969 as the Alaska Skills Center to address skilled-labor demand following the Prudhoe Bay oil discovery, it was integrated into the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) in 2003 and operates today as the only post-secondary career and technical training center owned and operated by the State of Alaska. Programs are delivered on a 19-week-term basis across nine core trade programs (Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies, Industrial Electricity, Industrial Machine and Maintenance, Industrial Welding, Information Technology, Plumbing and Heating, and Refrigeration), the Alaska Maritime Training Center (AMTC), and a Related Technical Instruction (RTI) apprenticeship arm, with hands-on learning comprising over 70% of student time in classes capped at 10–16 students.

The AMTC is the technical centerpiece, operating Coast Guard-approved maritime credentialing supported by fully digital bridge simulator consoles—helm/throttle controls, azimuth drive controls, tugboat winch controls, touchscreen systems, and specialized simulation software—modernized through Marathon Petroleum capital contributions beginning in 2018. The broader portfolio is delivered through a Moodle-based AVTEC Online LMS, and program costs range from approximately $13,617 (Refrigeration) to $33,600 (Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies) inclusive of tuition, room and board, and supplies.

AVTEC is funded through a layered revenue model combining tuition and fees, the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Grant, Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I/II/III), VA education benefits, corporate scholarships (Marathon Petroleum, Royal Caribbean Group), and the Alaska Education Tax Credit donation program. The institution serves Alaskans seeking workforce training (primary segment) along with Alaska employers, high school seniors via the Senior Year to Career Pathway, veterans and military personnel, and WIOA-eligible youth under 25. Distribution is single-site (Seward) with direct admissions, employer partnerships, high-school outreach, and an annual job fair feeding the employer pipeline.

Name

Alaska Vocational Technical Center

Legal name

Alaska Vocational Technical Center

Website

https://avtec.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

AVTEC is a state-operated vocational and technical training center in Seward, Alaska, delivering nine trade programs, U.S. Coast Guard-approved maritime training, and apprenticeship instruction to Alaskans, veterans, high school seniors, and WIOA-eligible youth.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational and Technical Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Computer Training (61142), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB), Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA), Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Career technical education
• Workforce development
• Maritime training
• Industrial trades training

Headquarters

HQ city

Seward

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Tuition-based revenue from occupational training programs. Programs range from one to two 19-week training terms. Additional revenue from technology fees, student service fees, and application fees ($50 per application).
2. Government Grants (WIOA): Federally funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Grant supporting eligible youth with tuition, tools, housing, transportation, and support services. AVTEC is a long-time grantee.
3. Federal Emergency Relief Funds: Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I, II, III) from CARES Act and American Recovery Plan for student financial support and institutional expenses.
4. Corporate Donations and Scholarships: Contributions from corporate partners like Marathon Petroleum for scholarships, maritime training programs, and capital investments in training technology.
5. Education Tax Credit Donations: Alaska Education Tax Credit program allowing businesses to receive 50% tax credit for donations of cash or equipment to support AVTEC programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) is a state-operated post-secondary career and technical training institution in Seward, Alaska, delivering nine trade programs (Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies, Industrial Electricity, Industrial Machine and Maintenance, Industrial Welding, Information Technology, Plumbing and Heating, and Refrigeration) and the Alaska Maritime Training Center (AMTC) for Coast Guard-approved mariner credentials. Programs run approximately 19 weeks per term with hands-on lab work comprising over 70% of student learning time, complemented by small class sizes (10-16 students), industry-recognized certifications, and a Moodle-based online learning platform.

Product overview

AVTEC is a state-operated vocational training institution offering multiple discrete career and technical training programs. The portfolio includes nine core trade programs (Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies, Industrial Electricity, Industrial Machine and Maintenance, Industrial Welding, Information Technology, Plumbing and Heating, and Refrigeration) plus the Alaska Maritime Training Center and Related Technical Instruction for registered apprentices. Programs run approximately 19 weeks per term, with most students completing training in under a year. Programs are delivered as independent offerings with no formal platform-plus-modules architecture; each program has its own curriculum, facilities, instructors, and industry advisory committee. Student support services include housing, career services, financial aid, and the AVTEC Online (Moodle) learning management system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Construction Technology Vocational training program teaching construction skills including carpentry, cabinetmaking, and residential electrical wiring, using NCCER curriculum and credentials, designed for adult learners pursuing construction careers in Alaska.
• Culinary Arts (Alaska Culinary Academy) Professional culinary training program covering cooking techniques, food service management, and culinary math, delivered at the Alaska Culinary Academy and Cafeteria facility in Seward.
• Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies Training program for diesel engines and heavy equipment systems used in Alaska's industrial sectors, delivered at the 1906 Alameda Road facility in Seward.
• Industrial Electricity Electrical training program covering residential wiring, motors, controls, and NEC code compliance, preparing students for industrial electrician roles in Alaska industries.
• Industrial Machine and Maintenance Machine tool technology and CNC programming training program, delivered at the 709 Second Avenue facility in Seward.
• Industrial Welding Structural and pipe welding training including SMAW and various welding certifications, delivered at the 1916 Leirer Road facility in Seward.
• Information Technology IT training covering Windows Server, Azure, CompTia certifications, Security+, CCNA, and Linux, delivered with high-end desktop computers as part of books/materials at the 703 Second Avenue facility.
• Plumbing and Heating Training in plumbing installation, heating systems, and refrigeration technology, delivered at the 808 Port Avenue facility in Seward.
• Refrigeration HVAC and refrigeration technology training with EPA 608 Universal Technician, Type 1, Type 2, and Core certification preparation.
• Alaska Maritime Training Center (AMTC) Coast Guard-approved maritime training including simulations, survival craft, Able Seaman certification, and navigation training at waterfront facilities in Seward. Delivers Basic Training, Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC), Able Seaman (AB), Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW), and deck officer credentials (200 Ton Master, 500 Ton Master, 100 Ton Master Near Coastal).
• Related Technical Instruction (RTI) Apprenticeship-related technical instruction providing online coursework and third-party testing for registered apprentices throughout Alaska, in partnership with the Alaska Workforce Investment Board and U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.
• AVTEC Online (Moodle LMS) Moodle-based online learning management system for enrolled students to access coursework, assignments, materials, and collaboration tools supporting all AVTEC training programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students can complete training and launch careers in less than one year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Marathon PetroleumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Since 2018, Marathon Petroleum has been a foundational partner in advancing AVTEC's Maritime Training Center. Major capital investments included $95,000 in 2018 and 2019 to modernize maritime simulator and instructional technology, transitioning from legacy analog bridge systems to fully digital bridge consoles. Support expanded in November 2022 to include direct scholarship funding for maritime students. Most recently, a $16,000 contribution in February 2026 supports student scholarships. More than 30 students have received direct financial support through this partnership. Bruce Jackman, VP of refining at Kenai refinery, noted that qualified mariners are critical to Marathon's operations.
• Royal Caribbean GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Royal Caribbean Group selected 15 local entrepreneurs in Seward for its inaugural Port Partners business accelerator program, a 10-week course taught at AVTEC. Aligned with Royal Caribbean's SEA the Future community initiative, participants receive mentorship from local business leaders and earn three college credits from the University of Alaska system. Top performer eligible for $20,000 in seed funding upon graduation.
• University of Alaska SystemflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Collaborates with AVTEC to provide college credits for Port Partners accelerator participants. Students earn three college credits through the University of Alaska system upon completion of the 10-week business accelerator program.
• City of SewardflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Collaborates with AVTEC as part of the Port Partners business accelerator program. The City of Seward supports local entrepreneurship development in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group and AVTEC.
• Seward Small Business Development CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Partners with AVTEC in the Port Partners business accelerator program, providing local business expertise and mentorship support for entrepreneurs in Seward, Alaska.
• Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018AVTEC is a division of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, reporting to the Commissioner of Labor. The department provides oversight, policy direction, and support for AVTEC's workforce training mission across Alaska.
• Alaska Workforce Investment BoardflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerState workforce development board supporting apprenticeship programs and workforce training initiatives. AVTEC provides Related Technical Instruction (RTI) for registered apprenticeship programs throughout Alaska in partnership with the board.
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of ApprenticeshipflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal apprenticeship authority partnering with AVTEC for Related Technical Instruction (RTI) providing training materials and third-party testing for apprentices progressing through registered apprenticeship programs statewide.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training (Seafarers International Union): Union-operated maritime training facility in Piney Point, Maryland delivering USCG-approved upgrading and refresher courses for licensed mariners. Comparable in vocational, USCG-aligned curriculum and simulator-intensive delivery.
• Seattle Maritime Academy (Seattle Central College): Community college maritime program delivering USCG-approved deck and engineering courses with simulator and small-vessel training. Comparable to AMTC in mission and credential offerings.
• Maine Maritime Academy: Independent degree-granting maritime academy in Castine, Maine delivering USCG-approved deck, engine, and small-craft programs with simulator-equipped bridge facilities. Comparable to AMTC's commercial mariner focus and credential portfolio.
• Great Lakes Maritime Academy (NMC): Maritime training division of Northwestern Michigan College delivering USCG-approved deck and engineering credentials plus full-mission simulation. Closely mirrors AMTC's USCG-aligned vocational structure.
• Lively Technical Center: State-operated post-secondary technical training center in Tallahassee, Florida delivering multi-trade vocational programs with industry advisory committees. Closely mirrors AVTEC's multi-trade, state-operated public school mission.
• MITAGS (Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies): Private maritime training provider in Maryland/Pacific Northwest offering USCG-approved courses and simulator-based bridge training for working mariners. Directly comparable in simulator-led, USCG-credentialed delivery model.
• California Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime): California State University campus offering USCG-approved maritime officer training with simulators and deck/engine programs. Directly comparable to AVTEC's Alaska Maritime Training Center in scope, credentialing model, and USCG-aligned curriculum.
• Texas A&M Maritime Academy (TAMU Galveston): Maritime academy component of the Texas A&M University System offering USCG-approved license tracks and marine simulator training. Comparable to AVTEC/AMTC in scale, accreditation lineage, and credential pathways.

Regional players

• Alaska Pacific University: Alaska-based private university with workforce-relevant programs in Anchorage. Adjacent rather than direct competitor; relevant regional reference point for Alaska's postsecondary landscape alongside AVTEC.

Broad incumbents

• University of Alaska Fairbanks: Alaska's flagship public research university and AVTEC's college-credit articulation partner. Broader scope than AVTEC but the principal higher-education counterpart for credit transfer and shared workforce-development agenda.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/avtecalaska
• Instagraminstagram.com/avtecalaska

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alaska Vocational Technical Center