Class Descriptions

AlaskaHost is a statewide customer service training program focusing on the hospitality and visitor services industries. The program trains participants how to provide quality customer service for residents and visitors to Alaska. At the end of the course, students will have learned to understand the importance of providing quality customer service, recognize and anticipate customer needs and expectations, understand and communicate the economic value of the visitor industry to the State of Alaska, learn how to deal with dissatisfied customers in a professional, helpful manner. Upon completion of the Customer Service Essentials course, participants receive a course certificate featuring the artwork of Alaskan artist, Rie Muñoz. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, Smartphone, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Oct 12, 2024 - Closed

Successful students will receive a free one-year subscription to Professor Teaches Web, a web based interactive tutorial for Microsoft Office 2019 and Windows 10! This course consists of three levels and begins with instruction on the basics of personal computers including operating systems, email, file management and the use of Zoom for online learning. The class quickly progresses and encompasses the use of MS OneDrive, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. By the end of this course, students will be able to utilize Microsoft Word, in order to create and edit business letters, resumes, and other documents, demonstrate basic Microsoft Excel skills in order to manage and track work hours and/or simple finances, utilize Microsoft PowerPoint for basic presentations, and share and review files with OneDrive. Students will be assisted to create a Microsoft (MS) Outlook account that gives access to free online MS applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, etc.). The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 4, 2024 - Closed
• Dec 2, 2024

Cancelled until further notice

This course is designed for students wanting to learn essential keyboarding skills and improve overall typing efficiency, speed, and accuracy. The class will be conducted at the Anchorage Family Investment Center computer lab, 440 E. Benson Blvd.

Students must have completed ‘Effective Job Application Principles’ and ‘Resumes and Cover Letters’ courses to take this class. Additionally, Students must have basic skills in the use of computers including internet, email and the use of a word processing application. Completion of Basic Computer Skills series will meet this requirement.  This course is an examination of the value and steps in career exploration and professional resume and cover letter preparation. Class will include career interest inventories, overview of various occupations training and wages, and identification of resources that will assist in in exploring potential careers and job openings. The course also provides a hands-on review of best practices for writing professional resumes and cover letters for job seekers. Participants will prepare a targeted resume for their job choice. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

This course focuses on workplace skills necessary to maximize your potential on the job and to land that all-important promotion. Topics include professional communication, networking, conflict resolution, problem solving, emotional intelligence, office etiquette, and dress for success. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Dec 17, 2024

This course will assist students and families in completing the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). You will be completing your own form online as we walk you through step by step. Prospective college students and their parents are encouraged to be present during class. Only the students need to register. If you have not already done so, all students will need to create an account (FSA ID) at www.StudentAid.gov/fsa-id/create-account before class. You will need to enter your Social Security number and your own mobile phone number and/or email address.  During class, Parents and students will need to enter information from your past year’s federal tax return including all income sources, so have that information ready. We will email a worksheet prior to class to assist you. This is a virtual class and will require a Mac, PC or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps. We will send you a Zoom Invite.

This course focuses on creating a Master Job History that can be used to fill in any job application at a moment’s notice. Guidance will be given regarding specific protocols and strategies to create a job application that will make a good impression. The student will learn to customize their application by analyzing a job ad to address the specific job requirements, skills, and qualifications needed. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 5, 2024
• Dec 3, 2024

This course continues with the Master Job History document created in Job Search Part 1, and comes with a free one-year subscription of ResumeMaker Pro Web, providing quality online resumes, cover letters, and job search and interview tools. Best practices for resume building and cover letters are discussed while integrating the student’s employment history into a web-based resume application service. Fundamentals of dissecting a job posting and responding with a targeted resume will be reviewed. The class will also include exploration of additional features of ResumeMaker Pro including Job Search Tools, Interview and Salary, and Expert Advice. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 12, 2024
• Dec 10, 2024

All participants must have an acceptable resume and have a focused career choice before taking this class. This course will present basic interviewing skills and discuss preparing for an interview. Students will practice interview scenarios and questions and then be able to participate in a mock interview role play. All participants must have an acceptable resume and have a focused career choice before taking this class. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Oct 14, 2024 - Closed
• Nov 18, 2024
• Dec 17, 2024

This course will show participants how to prepare and follow a personal spending plan, and help to rebuild their finances and credit. Topics include how to get extra money out of your situation, making tough choices in tight months, and creating a savings action plan. All participants will complete a personal budget and spending plan according to standards set by AHFC Jumpstart program. This meets AHFC’s Step Program Financial Literacy requirement. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, Smartphone, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 4, 2024
• Dec 10, 2024

This is a continuation of the Money $ense class and does not meet the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Financial Literacy requirement on its own. Students will learn more about debt reduction, bank services and account types, and skills needed to correctly manage accounts. The course will cover different forms of credit to suit the needs of an individual, how to use credit appropriately, how to address credit deficiencies, and interpret a credit report. Finally, the basics of long term financial planning, homeownership, and other asset building strategies will be discussed. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, Smartphone, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 6, 2024
• Dec 12, 2024

This class provides an introduction to current PC hardware by providing a hands-on look inside the computer. Additionally, the class reviews the legacy computer system hardware and looks at emerging technologies. At the end of this class students will be able to identify basic terms, concepts, functions, and operations of personal computer systems. They will be able to identify and describe functionality of field replaceable units (FRU), identify common ports, associated cabling and connections, identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, assemble memory modules, system boards, processors, power supplies, adapter boards, storage devices, and multimedia devices. For ages 14 to adult.

Registration must be approved by OTS. This is an intense course and is designed for students who have completed the Basic Computer Skills series. Students must have strong computer knowledge and familiarity with Microsoft Word. This course will assist students in preparing for the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel certification exam. At the end of this course, students will have a fundamental understanding of the Excel environment and the ability to complete tasks independently. They will know and demonstrate the correct application of the principal features of Excel. Students will be able to create and edit a workbook with multiple sheets for a variety of purposes and situations, such as professional-looking budgets, team performance charts, sales invoices, and exercise logs. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

This class will meet three times a week for six weeks and will require approximately 6 hours a week of outside class time for assignments and directed self-study for the duration of the class. The MOS exam requires a great deal of preparation and is not given in class. However, all students who successfully complete the class will receive assistance in scheduling and taking the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel exam.

Registration must be approved by OTS. This is an intense course and is designed for students who have completed the Basic Computer Skills series. Students must have strong computer knowledge and familiarity with Microsoft Word. This course will assist students in preparing for the Microsoft Office Specialist Word certification exam. At the end of this course individuals will have a fundamental understanding of the Word environment and the ability to complete tasks independently. They will know and demonstrate the correct application of the principal features of Word. Students will be able to create and edit 2-3 page documents for a variety of purposes and situations, such as professional-looking reports, multi-column newsletters, resumes, and business correspondence. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.
    
This class will meet three times a week for six weeks and will require approximately 6 hours a week of outside class time for assignments and directed self-study for the duration of the class. The MOS exam requires a great deal of preparation and is not given in class. However, all students who successfully complete the class will receive assistance in scheduling and taking the Microsoft Office Specialist Word exam.

Students must have basic skills in the use of computers including internet, email and the use of a word processing application. Completion of Basic Computer Skills Level 2 will meet this requirement.  This course is an examination of the value and steps in career exploration and resume and cover letter preparation. Class will include career interest inventories, overview of various occupations training and wages, and identification of resources that will assist in in exploring potential careers and job openings. A hands-on review of best practices for writing professional resumes and cover letters for job seekers. Participants will prepare a targeted resume for their job choice. The virtual version of this class will require a Mac or PC computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Students must have completed Basic Computer Skills or have Instructor approval. This course provides instruction in creating and editing digital graphics for the web, provides a high-level introduction to the Internet and how it functions, and investigates how the Internet has impacted society over time. The course covers the basics of good page layout, color theory and typography to create visually attractive and compelling websites that will capture the audience’s attention. Upon completion of this course students will be able to identify terms, concepts and functions and operations of a website, use file management on their site, create a website/custom domain that will be continually improved by students as they continue the course. Students will design, prototype, test, and develop their own websites. It will also serve as a running portfolio of each creative project they create in the course. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.

Upcoming Dates

• Nov 11, 2024

This Course is designed to serve the Youth ages 14-18. An effective resume equals a successful career. This course provides a hands-on review of best practices for writing professional resumes for job seekers. Participants will prepare a targeted resume for their job choice. This course will also focus on workplace skills necessary to make it in your job and move forward into a career. Learn to develop the lifelong qualities that will help you maximize your potential in the workplace.

This class is designed to serve the ages 14 – 18 for youth receiving AHFC housing assistance, and is held for 2 hours over 2 days (4 contact hours total). Students who complete this 2 part class will earn a $50 gift card!

An effective resume equals a successful career. This course provides a hands-on review of best practices for writing professional resumes for job seekers. You will prepare a targeted resume of your job choice. This course will also focus on how to answer those hard questions and the workplace skills necessary to make it in your job and move forward into a career. Topics include summer internships, resumes and cover letters, workplace soft skills, AlaskaHost customer service essentials. Learn to develop the lifelong qualities that will help you maximize your potential and get a leg up on applying for jobs, apprenticeships, and internships. The virtual version of this class will require a PC, Mac, or Chromebook computer and an Internet capability of at least 600kbps.