What would you recommend... (Anchorage, Fairbanks: find a job, college, utilities)

[lawlow]

Hi! Here's the deal...We currently live in Oregon, and had plans to "retire" early and move to Alaska. Hubby is two years from early retirement, and the plant he is working at is closing. There are no jobs around here, and we were thinking we could use his severance package and go to Alaska early...hubby could find a job for at least two years. He's 50 years old, btw.

My questions are, where would you think the best area would be to look for jobs in the fishing industry? Or for jobs that require no college education, but a record of having the same job for 32 years building Class 8 Diesel trucks? He is in great shape, not afraid of hard labor.

We are not city people. We like the country life, but would like to have an access road nearby. I lived in Fairbanks as a kid, but of course, I didn't pay attention to where the jobs are, lol.

Thanks
Deb

[Metlakatla]

Why the fishing industry? There really aren't many jobs in that anymore; I'm sure he could get something else though. Where are you in Oregon? I'm in the central Cascades at the moment.

[lawlow]

He likes fishing! lol Actually, he thought it would be the easiest job to get into. I think he is just thinking of a two year job until he can retire. He, of course, would be open to anything. If we had an area in which getting a job would be easier then other areas, we could check out what kind of jobs are available.

I'm in the NW coastal mtns of Oregon. :-)

[Metlakatla]

Let's see...fishing probably won't be the easiest thing to get into as far as jobs go, but it could work out. There are a lot of threads here asking about it and some good advice in them.

But here's something for you to look at:



DLWD - Seafood Employment Unit

[lawlow]

Thanks Metlakatla!

[Metlakatla]

If he likes to fish, he'd like the Kenai, Cordova or SE.

The link also has job listings by region.

And craigslist sometimes has deckhand jobs listed:

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/

[Marty Van Diest]

If he is a diesel mechanic he can pretty much write his own ticket. He could get on the slope, on a larger fishing boat, or a job in most any town. Not hard to do if you are a good mechanic.

[lawlow]

I've had my eye on Cordova..such a nice community, I hear. I've been looking on craigslist, and that is where we originally got excited about finding a job. Compared to Portland's craigslist, it is a lot busier.

Thanks again!
Deb

[lawlow]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

If he is a diesel mechanic he can pretty much write his own ticket. He could get on the slope, on a larger fishing boat, or a job in most any town. Not hard to do if you are a good mechanic.

Aw, there is the problem. He "builds" the class 8 diesel trucks, and isn't a "certified" diesel mechanic. Although he could be, because he has the skills. Down here they call his job a laborer.

[mal_flisk]

How are his troubleshooting skills? We are currently installing a 3 MW diesel generator in Cordova. Also the diesel generator techs in Copper Valley Electric at the Glennallen and Valdez Diesel plants are all in their 60's. We currently build most of the diesel generator sets for Alaska Energy Authority as well. AVEC and AEA are always looking for diesel mechanics. NC Machinery (CAT) and Cummins NW, Pacific Power Products (formerly Pacific Detroit Diesel), Alaska Diesel Electric are other places to place resumes. Most are in Anchorage. Check with any of the slope companies, or possibly with the diesel dealerships in the auto groups. Homer Electric Association, Golden Valley Electric, Bristol Bay Utilities. Opportunities are here. He happens to fit the bill in many ways. Several good marine outfits in Homer, Kodiak, and Dutch.