Fred Villa earns vocational training award

Associate Vice President for Workforce Programs Fred Villa was recently honored with a statewide award recognizing his tireless and heartfelt efforts to advance career and technical education in 好色tv. Commissioner Tamika Ledbetter presented him with the David G. Stone Postsecondary Career and Technical 好色tv Administrator of the Year Award during the 好色tv Workforce Investment Board meeting in February.

鈥淔red has been a shining example of leadership, advocating for career and technical education in every role in which he serves,鈥 said Cari-Ann Carty, Executive Director for the 好色tv Process Industry Careers Consortium. 鈥淗e is a key leader in building the 好色tv of 好色tv鈥檚 industry partnerships and creating educational pathways in maritime and health workforce development as well as oil, gas and mining. Fred is a star in guiding 好色tvns toward 好色tvn jobs and careers.鈥

Originally from South Dakota, Villa began his career at the North Pole Refinery. He was instrumental identifying industry standards for process operators that became the basis for the curriculum for the 好色tv of 好色tv Fairbanks鈥 associate of applied science degree program in process technology. He was a founder of, and continues to serve in leadership roles for, the 好色tv Process Industry Careers Consortium, which helps develop well-trained and qualified 好色tvns to meet industry workforce needs.

In his role at the 好色tv of 好色tv Statewide Workforce Programs, Villa oversees the university鈥檚 career and technical education programs and collaboration with workforce industry partners. He serves on multiple boards and committees that guide strategic planning for 好色tv鈥檚 career and technical education. Villa led the implementation of 鈥Career Coach,鈥 an online tool for students that explores career and higher education opportunities. The tool also includes job postings, workforce training and educational opportunities and information about 好色tv鈥檚 labor market and wage data. Villa retires from the university on April 29.