General Information

The Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) was originally created as a post-secondary component of the State of Alaska Department of Education in 1969. Originally called the Alaska Skills Center, it was established in response to emerging demand for a skilled workforce statewide and was associated with the 1968 discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay. AVTEC is now a division of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), reporting to the Commissioner of Labor, and the only post-secondary career and technical training center owned and operated by the State of Alaska.

The training programs and facilities at AVTEC are designed to closely simulate real-life workplace environments, with hands-on training labs comprising over 70% of student learning time. Small class sizes facilitate personalized attention from subject matter expert instructors who work with employers to adapt training programs, ensuring their relevance and value in the Alaskan job market. Students who successfully complete the program receive an AVTEC certificate; many are able to earn industry-recognized credentials and licenses as well. Communication is supported by a VOIP telephone system, installed in 2016. Classrooms are typically limited to 10-16 students per instructor to provide a tailored learning experience and individualized instruction. Each program has a co-located lab space that allows for direct application of theory and lecture learned in the classroom.

Located at the headwaters of Resurrection Bay, in Seward, Alaska, AVTEC’s campuses stretch across multiple locations in the Seward community. The Applied Technology campus, on Herman Leirer Road and Alameda, is the location of the Diesel and Heavy Equipment, Industrial Welding and Industrial Electricity programs. Refrigeration and the Plumbing and Heating programs are located down Alameda and east on Port Avenue, just a few blocks away.

The First Lake campus, on Second Avenue, houses the administrative and business operations offices as well as the Information Technology, Industrial Machine and Maintenance, and Construction Technology programs. The Alaska Maritime Training Center (AMTC) is located at the First Lake Building and at the AMTC Fire Training Center across the bay in the Seward Marine Industrial Center.

The Student Life campus, on Fourth Avenue, includes the Student Services Center - consisting of the library, auditorium, learning resource center, gymnasium and student lounge and recreation areas; the Culinary Arts program; resident student housing and family apartments and campus food services.

Over the past fifty years, AVTEC has consulted industry experts to adapt training programs to the ever-evolving demands of Alaska’s industries to ensure the training students receive is both relevant and valued by employers in Alaska.

Facility Address List and Contact Information

• Alaska Culinary Academy and Cafeteria:
  • Culinary Arts: 518 Third Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6107
• Applied Technologies Facility:
  • Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies: 1906 Alameda Road, Seward, Alaska 99664
    (907) 224-6131 (Heavy Equipment) or (907) 224-6130 (Diesel)
  • Industrial Welding: 1916 Leirer Road, Seward, Alaska 99664
    (907) 224-6124 (Structural) or (907) 224-6128 (Pipe)
• Energy Building:
  • Industrial Electricity: 1912 Leirer Road, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6177
• First Lake Facility: (907) 224-3322
  • Administration and Business Offices: 809 Second Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6159
  • Alaska Maritime Training Center: 809 Second Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6196
  • Construction Technology: 709 Second Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6178
  • Industrial Machine and Maintenance: 709 Second Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6125
• Information Technology Facility:
  • Information Technology: 703 Second Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6184
• Alaska Maritime Training Center Fire Field:
  • Some Maritime Training courses: 3504 Jellison Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-5658
• Port Avenue Facility:
  • Plumbing and Heating: 808 Port Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6176
  • Refrigeration: 808 Port Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6132
• Student Services Center/Gym/Library/Media Center:
  • 519 Fourth Avenue, Seward, AK 99664 (907) 224-6114