Eight students spent two months gaining practical experience in the fundamentals of carpentry, including measuring, cutting, framing, and installing materials to construct a 10-foot by 10-foot structure. Under the guidance of skilled instructors, students learned to use a variety of hand and power tools, preparing them for careers in the trades. By the end of the course, every student had not only completed the program, but they had also secured employment in the construction industry.

Through a cooperative agreement between Generations Southeast and McGraw Construction, the hands-on carpentry training quickly translated into real jobs. From the start, McGraw Construction owner Chad McGraw believed in the students’ potential. He traveled to Prince of Wales Island for the graduation ceremony, interviewed the entire class, and by the end of the day, most students had job offers in hand.

Where The Students Are Now: 

• Donna Smith, a single mother of two who moved to Prince of Wales seeking a better life, impressed McGraw Construction with her determination and positive attitude. She was hired on the spot to work on a Davis-Bacon project at the Sitka Airport remodel.
• Clayton Wright had been in talks with Dawson Construction but chose to attend the class first. Dawson supported his decision and officially hired him after graduation.
• Cody Boyd joined the Laborers’ Union in Fairbanks through a partnership with Ketchikan Indian Community and Generations Southeast.
• Gregory Frisby, Josiah McCoy, Kestin Starfurs, and Jacob Cottrell were all hired by McGraw Construction and are now working locally on Prince of Wales Island, adding significant economic activity to their own community simply by being employed at home.
• Aubrey Gamble completed the class to sharpen her carpentry skills and has plans to build tiny homes and smokehouse for her parents.

“This is exactly the kind of success story we want to see,” said Charles Edwardson, Director of the Generations Southeast POW Campus. “Economic development depends on having a skilled local workforce. When people can train, work, and raise their families right here, our whole community becomes stronger.”

For students like Aubrey Gamble, who returned to Prince of Wales after attending college out of state, the course represented more than just a career path; it was a way to stay connected to her roots.

“You go away and you’re by yourself,” she said. “It’s really hard to leave and succeed. But if you can have these opportunities right here and go home to your kids at night, you’ll feel like your supported.”

The carpentry course was offered in partnership with Sealaska and at no cost to students, thanks to Alaska Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP) funding and Tlingit & Haida’s Employment & Training programs. 

Students traveling from outside the Craig and Klawock were also provided housing, removing barriers to participation.

The success of the inaugural carpentry training is a powerful example of what’s possible when education, community, and industry work hand-in-hand. It shows how local training opportunities, supported by state and tribal programs, can help tribal citizens stay and thrive in their home communities while supporting local workforce development and long-term sustainability.

As Charles Edwardson put it, “This is more than just carpentry, it’s about building futures, one student and one community at a time.”