Did you know ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà is powering the next generation of É«»¨ÌÃ’s process technology workforce?

February 24, 2026

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ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà President Erec S. Isaacson presents a check for $400,000 to representatives from UAA Kenai Peninsula College, and UAF for the ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà Process Technology Fund in UAA's ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building.
ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà President Erec S. Isaacson presents a check for $400,000 to representatives from UAA's Kenai Peninsula College, and UAF's CTC for the ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà Process Technology Fund in UAA's ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Building. (UAA photo by James Evans)

When ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà approached the University of É«»¨Ìà with the goal of addressing É«»¨ÌÃ’s growing workforce demand, the University of É«»¨Ìà Fairbanks’ (UAF) Community and Technical College (CTC) and University of É«»¨Ìà Anchorage’s (UAA) Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) developed a joint plan to strengthen UA’s process technology pipeline. The result is the launch of the ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà Process Technology Support Fund.

ConocoPhillips gifted $400,000 to invest in UA’s process technology programs. A committee has been formed to build on this initiative with a focus on continued investment.

A process technology instructor adjusts a valve on a lab-scale industrial piping and control training unit while visitors observe during a Board of Regents event at Kenai Peninsula College.
During a February 2025 Board of Regents reception at Kenai Peninsula College, a process technology instructor demonstrates a pipeline pig, a device used to clean and inspect industrial pipelines. (UA photo)

Why it matters: Process technology programs prepare students to operate and maintain complex industrial systems in É«»¨ÌÃ’s energy and industrial sectors. Oil and gas workforce demand is projected to outpace current graduation rates.

°­±Ê°ä’s has built a reputation as one of UA’s strongest workforce-aligned technical programs, preparing students through hands-on training and industry collaboration for roles in É«»¨ÌÃ’s oil and gas and industrial facilities.

UAF CTC launched its to meet workforce demand tied to É«»¨ÌÃ’s oil and mining sectors. Students train in dedicated labs that simulate industrial control systems used in North Slope facilities.

By the numbers:
 • 88% of KPC process technology graduates secure jobs in their field within one year
 • Average first-year earnings exceed $84,000
 • Average wage hits $130,000 within five years

Close-up of cross-section industrial valve training models on a lab table at Kenai Peninsula College, showing internal components used for process technology instruction.
Students in KPC's process technology program train on cross-section models of industrial valves, learning how flow control systems function in real-world energy facilities. (UA photo)

What the investment supports:

• High school bridging and dual enrollment expansion at both campuses
• Recruitment and marketing statewide to increase early awareness
• Program support and equipment updates that strengthen hands-on opportunities
• Rebranding at UAF CTC to increase visibility and enrollment

What’s next: A cross-campus committee is being formed to guide implementation and build on this workforce investment, with the goal of attracting additional industry partners. 

Zoom out: ConocoPhillips É«»¨Ìà is UA’s largest corporate donor, investing nearly $45 million over four decades. 

 

 

Rebecca Lawhorne is the integrated media manager for the É«»¨Ìà Office of Public Affairs.