The Alaska Contractor: Fall 2006

THE
GOVERNOR
CANDIDATES’
VIEWS CONTINUED
Palin
continued from page 63
Entities – whether public or private
– that issue contracts need to be educated
that there is an incredible talent
pool right here in Alaska that is well
qualifi ed. The next governor needs to
both lead by example, and also work
toward changing the mindset that local
people aren’t qualifi ed to perform
on construction contracts.
It is ironic that we have not learned
from our own experiences. There are
many examples of large projects that
were designed and built by Outside
companies...and many of these designs
have failed to perform. On the
other hand, projects designed and
built by our own contractors have a
good track record of performing and
meeting expectations.
There are other initiatives our administration
is willing to discuss. In
summary, these include funding for
vocational training programs, options
for containing the growth in worker ‘s
compensation insurance, and also being
prudent about making sure that
the level of capital spending does not
exceed the ability of our workforce to
fi ll the jobs being contracted.
When we look at all the issues facing
Alaska today, all of these matters
are solvable by using the talents and
resources of our own people. Whether
it’s campaigning or contracting – the
ability and the means exist right here
at home to meet the challenge.
64 The Alaska CONTRACTOR Fall 2006