Division of Employment and Training Services
Patsy Westcott, Director
The Division of Employment and Training Services (DETS) works with business and industry to build a trained and prepared workforce by providing labor exchange, employment and training services, and unemployment insurance to Alaskans and Alaska businesses, thereby advancing opportunities for employment and economic stability for communities in Alaska.
The Division of Employment and Training Services (DETS):
- Operates an online no-fee labor exchange system that connects job seekers and employers;
- Oversees 14 job centers across the state to assist job seekers with employment related services including resume development, and interviewing skills; and employers by providing outreach and recruitment services, placing job orders, providing information on hiring incentives, etc.;
- Oversees state and federally funded programs that provide training and support services, job search and relocation assistance, intended to ensure workers have the occupational credentials needed for a good job that pays well;
- Provide specialized services to Alaska’s Veteran population;
- Issues temporary unemployment insurance benefits to eligible unemployed workers while they are seeking employment;
- Assists unemployment insurance claimants and adjudication of claims;
- Collects employment security tax contributions and maintains the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund from which benefits are paid;
- Provides adult basic education and English literacy services to adults who are preparing for citizenship testing, need a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
- Works with older workers with barriers to employment to gain work readiness skills that allow them to obtain employment providing for self-sufficiency; and competitively grants out state and federal funding to organizations to conduct employment and training activities for specific projects.
