Work Experience Program: Career Development Pathway
Through the Employment & Training Department, the Work Experience Program is more than a job—it’s a pathway to purpose, confidence, and lasting success. Rooted in community and guided by our commitment to uplift participants, this paid, on-the-job training program provides real-world experience while building the skills needed to thrive in today’s workforce.
Through placements within Tlingit & Haida departments and with trusted community partners, participants gain hands-on experience, strengthen professional skills and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of southeast. We serve not only individuals seeking employment but future leaders—supporting each participant on their journey toward stability, self-sufficiency, and meaningful careers.
Our approach is holistic and supportive. Participants receive personalized guidance, educational support and employment services designed to prepare them for success beyond the program. From career exploration to job readiness, we walk alongside each participant every step of the way.
Participants have access to a wide range of resources, including career assessments, motivational training, and skill-building workshops covering résumé and cover letter development, job applications, online job searches, and interview preparation. By the end of the program, every participant leaves with a complete employment portfolio and the confidence to pursue and maintain unsubsidized employment.
Eligibility Requirements
If you would like to participate in the Tlingit & Haida Work Experience Program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in a Federally recognized tribe, provide proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment, or provide a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must reside within the service area: Craig, Haines, Hydaburg, Juneau, Klawock, Pelican, Saxman, and Tenakee
. - Open to individuals who are unemployed or underemployed, economically disadvantaged, experiencing skill gaps, or seeking training or retraining for employment.
- Must be able to pass a drug screening.
How Potential Employers Can Partner with Us
At Tlingit & Haida, we’re building stronger communities by preparing people for meaningful careers—together. Through employer partnerships, we connect organizations with a growing pool of skilled, motivated, job-ready candidates who have completed background checks, helping ensure a seamless fit for your business needs.
If you are an organization or business owner in one of these communities and would like to explore workforce opportunities, please contact the Work Experience Program to learn more.
About Work Experience Program
The Work Experience Program is a paid, on-the-job training initiative administered by the Tlingit & Haida Employment & Training Department. Rooted in community, the program provides eligible participants with meaningful work experience, professional skill development, and comprehensive support to help participants become job-ready and succeed in long-term employment.
The Work Experience Program provides three service pathways:
Career Development Pathway: Designed for eligible participants seeking to gain workplace experience, improve job skills, and strengthen professional readiness. Participants are placed within tribal departments and trusted community partners, receiving mentorship, skill-building workshops, and career guidance.
Reentry & Recovery Pathway: Tailored for eligible participants who are justice-involved or participating in the Reentry & Recovery Program. This program focuses on removing barriers to employment, building confidence, and equipping participants with the tools needed for long-term success. Participants gain practical experience, personalized support, and guidance to re-enter the workforce and achieve economic stability.
Evergreen Elder’s Work Experience Pathway (view information): The Evergreen Elders Work Experience Program is a paid on-the-job training initiative designed for Tlingit & Haida tribal citizens aged 55 and older. The program assists eligible participants in reentering the workforce by offering comprehensive educational support and employment services to develop employable skills and enhance job opportunities. Through placements within our tribal departments or with external partners, the program assists participants in securing and maintaining permanent, unsubsidized employment. Upon completion of the program, each participant will receive an employment portfolio to support their job search efforts. Specific guidelines are in place to ensure that if a tribal citizen receives SSI benefits, the income from their job placement will not impact those benefits.