The University of Alaska has launched a new online tool for students, and others in the workforce, to help plan their futures.

Career Coach, a web-based tool, offers the ability to search through current Alaska job postings and learn what workforce training and educational opportunities are available, according to a release from the University of Alaska. The tool will also allow students to access current Alaska labor market and wage data.

“I see this service as a tremendous value to university and K-12 students,” said Colby Freel, chair of the UA Coalition of Student Leaders. “It’s critical for students to be able to see how they’ll fit into the job market after graduation, and I’m glad to see this program become available at UA.”

The Career Coach also features two assessments — a six question test and a 60 question test, which users can take to determine potential career matches. Once a user takes either test, a selection of careers and how to become involved with them is shown to the user.

The tool is designed for use by people at various stages in their career. One aspect highlighted by the university is that transitioning military service members can use their military occupation code to match their current job with a corresponding one in the private sector.

“There isn’t a faster or more comprehensive way in Alaska to search for jobs and easily find out what training is necessary for high-demand careers,” Associate Vice-President of Workforce Programs Fred Villa said.

The program was developed in cooperation with Emsi, a labor market advising and economic modeling company that has worked with other colleges, such as South Texas College in Texas and a consortium of colleges in Monterey Bay, California.

“Students are able to see the academic path, expected earnings and job market predictions. It really engages them in a new way,” according to a statement from Emsi.

The program scrapes through Alaska and national labor market data, including data from the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Labor and Education, to provide a snapshot of a student’s potential job market.

The tool is now live, online at https://alaska.emsicc.com. The university plans to train campus career services employees and community representatives throughout the state on how to assist students with the program.

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com