Since the 70s, when Alaska had vocational programs in most high schools, the emphasis has been to cut out those expensive programs.  Vocational programs are expensive to operate. Tools, equipment, materials and supplies for those programs cost far more per student than academic classes.  The state of Alaska use to have a very good program for providing extra funds for vocation programs. That funding  dwindled and the changes in Juneau has allowed those extra funds to be tossed into the general fund rather than restricted to Voc Ed.  
Now we have a few post secondary schools that offer some, no all, trade instruction at expensive cost to the student.  These private schools have convinced the politicians to limit programs at community colleges so they do not interfere with private business. 
Most union trades have apprentice programs. These programs have a difficult time forecasting job availability and the number of apprentices they can place into jobs.