Career and Technical Education Facility

Dawson Construction built a new Career and Technical Education facility for Metlakatla High School on the Annette Islands Reserve, Alaska's only federally recognized Indian reservation. The two-story, 13,488 square foot steel structure was designed by Burkhart Croft Architects to provide the remote island community with modern career training facilities that prepare students for both local industry careers and higher education pathways.

The building houses a full range of vocational and academic spaces, including dedicated workshops for metal and wood fabrication, a materials processing area, scuba training facilities, and STEM classrooms. The facility also features a Native Arts room, reflecting the Tsimshian cultural heritage of the Metlakatla community so that traditional artistic practices are preserved alongside modern technical education.

Construction in Metlakatla presented the unique logistical challenges inherent to island communities in Southeast Alaska. All materials and equipment had to be transported by barge from the nearest supply points, requiring careful advance planning and coordination with seasonal shipping schedules. Dawson's extensive experience with remote Alaska construction enabled them to manage these logistics efficiently while delivering a facility that meets the educational needs of this tight-knit island community of approximately 1,400 residents.

Metlakatla students now have access to hands-on career training that previously required leaving the island. Welding and woodworking shops equipped with industry-standard tools prepare students for construction and manufacturing trades, while STEM classrooms and the Native Arts room blend modern education with cultural heritage. The building is the community's investment in its next generation.