The non-full time employment rate for working age adults in the villages was measured at 65% in our survey last year. For those between the ages of 18 and 24 that rate was at 81%. Clearly, we have to do everything possible to prepare our young people for jobs when they leave high school in order to improve the quality of life for them and their families.

The first stops on the Career Fair tour this month were in Buckland and Deering on April 4. Representatives of the Technical Center, Chukchi Campus, Maniilaq, NANA's Aqqaluk Trust, National Park Service, and the Borough's Economic Development Director made presentations on job opportunities for the young people of today. Much of the emphasis was on the need to gain higher education and vocational training in order to get the better-paying jobs that are available.

At the Red Dog project for example, there are over 500 full-time jobs. While about 100 of those jobs are filled by residents of the Borough, far more could be enjoying the benefits of high paying jobs there if they got the training necessary to perform them. There are many sources of financial support for vocational and college education for our people and they need to be used more.

While in Buckland, my staff representative took the opportunity to discuss our Small Business Revolving Loan program and provide tax preparation assistance. As a result of that trip, we also ordered some equipment for the artists of the village that will be placed in the old school shop building for the cooperative use of those who wish to use it and properly care for it. I heard great reports about the artwork of Buckland residents John and Loren Geary, James Savok and Beulah Ballot. Keep up the beautiful work!

The rest of the schedule for Village Career Fairs is as follows: Noatak and Kivalina on April 8; Noorvik and Kiana on April 9; Selawik on April 10; Shungnak and Kobuk on April 30; and Ambler on May 1st. The events are being coordinated by Doni Newell of the Northwest Arctic Borough School District.