JUNEAU -- A Ketchikan-based partnership was awarded a grant to help train people for Alaska's burgeoning film industry.

KPU Telecommunications, in partnership with the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District, is one of seven winners of the Alaska Cast and Crew Advancement Program Grant. The $40,000 award is from the State of Alaska Department of Workforce Development.

The Juneau Empire reported the program will create a vocational program to train K-12 students, and others, in videography, TV production and editing.

High school students statewide may sign up for the program as a distance learning class.

Several four-day seminars also are planned. Topics range from basic videography to producing a full reality television show episode.