Building Boats.

• Position: ALASKA TRENDS

For a state with a limited manufacturing base. Alaska is home to a longstanding boat and ship building industry The importance of marine transportation, commercial fisheries, subsistence, and the visitor industry ensures that ships and boats are heavily used in Alaska

This data is from the first study in the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development's Emerging Sector Series, 'Boat and Ship Building,' which attempts to assess and define the growth potential of the industry, along with strategies to support this growth.

Number of Establishments and Employees in the Ship Building Industry (September 2016) Region Number of Companies Number of Employees United Slates 1,865 132,740 Alaska 23 371 Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Commercial Fishing Vessels in Alaska by State of Manufacture WA 714 Alt Others 370 AK 269 FL 146 MN 111 OR 102 CA 91 BC 79 NC 58 TN 43 Skills in Demand for Boat and Ship Building Skill in demand: Number of Companies Identifying the Skill in Demand Welding (aluminum in particular) 8 Fabrication skills 6 Basic technical skills/general labor skills 4 Computer literate, software skills, such as CAD-prints/3D-prints 3 Rigging skills 2 Work ethic, reliability, and hard workers 2 Designing skills/creative thinking/an ability to "think outside the box" 2 Carpentry 2 Fitting skills 1 Mechanical skills (knowledge about propulsion system, and different engines) 1 Upholstery 1...