Alaska EXCEL

Today is the day! Tune in and watch the graduation live, on MAPTS fb page 💛💙

MAPTS Rural Heavy Equipment Operator Training Graduation – Monday, June 8th!

After 140 hours of intensive training, hands-on equipment operation, classroom instruction, and personal growth, our MAPTS Rural Heavy Equipment Operator trainees are preparing to graduate!

We invite you to join us Monday, June 8th, as we celebrate not only the achievements of our graduates, but also the families, communities, employers, partners, and supporters who have played an important role in helping them pursue their workforce development goals.

👏 Join us in recognizing their success and the bright future ahead!

Our Summer XL students are officially halfway through their 56-hour Safety & Emergency Response Training program with the Learn To Return (LTR) team!

Students have been learning hands-on skills in emergency response, outdoor safety, workplace safety, and personal preparedness. These experiences help build confidence, leadership, and skills they can use in future jobs, internships, and everyday life.

Here are a few photos from this week's Bear Awareness, Bear Spray and Firearm Defense, and Range Training, along with a glimpse into their days at Summer XL.

A big thank you to the Learn to Return team for providing this valuable training and helping our students grow through these experiences.

Our Alaska EXCEL students are putting their training into action at the MAPTS Rural Heavy Equipment Operator Training Camp in Delta Junction.

During the first week, students completed their MSHA Part 48 Surface Metal New Miner Training and gained hands-on experience operating a variety of heavy equipment, including haul trucks, a dozer, skid steer, telehandler, and utility vehicles. This week, they are participating in simulated job site operations, applying their skills in real-world workforce scenarios.

We invite our partners, families, and community members to join us in celebrating these students and their accomplishments at graduation.

MAPTS Rural Heavy Equipment Operator Training Camp Graduation

📅 Monday, June 8, 2026
🕥 10:30 AM AKT
📍 MAPTS Training Facility, Milepost 1392, Alaska Highway, Delta Junction

Unable to attend in person? The ceremony will be streamed live on the MAPTS page. If you plan to attend onsite, please contact Alastair Dunbar at [email protected] or 907-952-5881 by June 6.

Congratulations to these students for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to building career-ready skills for Alaska’s workforce.

Alaska EXCEL Hall of Fame: David Hoeldt

Success is built one opportunity, one challenge, and one achievement at a time. David Hoeldt’s Alaska EXCEL journey is a powerful example of what dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to growth can accomplish.

From attending 18 Alaska EXCEL sessions throughout his high school years to developing valuable workforce and life skills, David embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. His experiences through programs such as Math/Science Expeditions, Academic & Trades Decathlons, the George River Internship, and the EXCEL/MAPTS Capstone helped prepare him for a successful career path in the skilled trades.

After gaining industry experience with Knik Construction, David returned to Alaska EXCEL as a Facilitator, bringing his firsthand knowledge and passion for student success back to the program that helped shape his future. Today, he serves as a role model for students across Alaska, demonstrating the lasting impact of hard work, continuous learning, and giving back to your community.

Thank you, David, for inspiring the next generation and for being an outstanding member of the Alaska EXCEL Hall of Fame.

Welcome to Summer XL 2026!!

Today, we are excited to welcome a new group of students as they begin their Summer XL journey. Through June 20, participants will engage in hands-on safety, emergency response, and leadership training designed to build confidence, develop critical skills, and prepare them for future educational and career opportunities.

Working alongside experienced instructors, students will earn valuable certifications and participate in real-world training experiences, including Wilderness First Aid, CPR and AED certification, aviation safety and survival, cold water survival, fall protection, bear awareness and defense, leadership development, and public speaking.

We are proud to support these students as they take on new challenges, build lasting friendships, and invest in their futures. We look forward to following their journey over the coming weeks and celebrating their accomplishments along the way.

The George River Internship is a paid, hands-on summer field experience designed for motivated high school students interested in fisheries, environmental science, and Alaska’s natural resources.

From July 17–27, interns will work alongside biologists and program mentors conducting real fisheries and habitat research on the George River, a tributary of the Kuskokwim River near Crooked Creek, Alaska. Students will gain meaningful experience in field science while building academic and professional skills that support future pathways in natural resource careers.

Participants will engage in activities such as salmon monitoring, habitat assessment, water quality measurements, and fisheries data collection in a remote field setting.

✔ Paid Internship
✔ $700 Stipend Upon Successful Completion
✔ Travel, Room & Board Included
✔ Earn High School Credit (Science or Math)
✔ Real-World Field Research Experience

Learn more & apply: Please consult your counselor, teacher, or principal. You may also reach out via email at https://alaskaexcel.org/apply-now or https://www.kuspuk.org/activities/george-river-internship

Explore. Learn. Lead.

Significant opportunities are unfolding for our students this summer.

We are proud to recognize these students who are currently participating in the MAPTS 140-Hour Surface Mine Training Program through the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Over the next two weeks, they are gaining valuable hands-on experience, developing workplace skills, earning industry certifications, and preparing for future careers within Alaska’s workforce.

Students participating include:

📍 Chevak
• Myson Imgalrea
• Marvin Pingayak

📍 Crooked Creek
• Aidan John

📍 Aniak
• Dylan Nicholson
• Karson Peterson

In addition to completing their training, students also took an important step toward independence by opening their own bank accounts and learning more about financial responsibility throughout the process.

These students will complete the program on June 8, and we are extremely proud of the dedication, growth, and commitment they have already demonstrated.

We commend each of you as you continue building confidence, opportunity, and a strong future for yourselves and your communities.