Montana Wins Federal Grant to Expand Youth Apprenticeships, Build on 406 JOBS Initiative

HELENA — Montana has been selected for a competitive federal grant to expand youth apprenticeship programs, building on Governor Greg Gianforte’s recently launched 406 JOBS Initiative to address the state’s workforce challenges.

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry will receive $50,000 through the National Governors Association Policy Academy on Youth Apprenticeship, a program designed to help states develop high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for students and young adults.

The selection comes just weeks after Gianforte launched the 406 JOBS Initiative in August to reconnect more than 100,000 working-age Montanans who have left the workforce entirely despite record job availability across the state.

“Youth apprenticeship opens doors for Montana students while giving employers access to the skilled workforce they need to thrive,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. “By aligning with the 406 JOBS Initiative, we can ensure youth registered apprenticeship becomes a powerful tool in Montana’s broader strategy—helping students gain hands-on experience, meeting employer demand for talent, and supporting our state’s growth across every region and industry.”

Targeting High-Demand Sectors

The NGA Policy Academy will help Montana expand youth apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand sectors including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, the trades, energy, and information technology—industries that align with the state’s broader workforce development priorities.

Montana’s economy presents a complex picture: the state maintains record employment levels with over 560,000 people working and unemployment below 3% for ten consecutive months, yet businesses face severe worker shortages with nearly two job openings for every unemployed person.

Construction employment alone surged by 2,200 jobs over three months through July, reflecting the demand in one of the target sectors for the new apprenticeship expansion.

Building Partnerships

Through the academy, Montana will work with national experts, peer states, and local partners to strengthen coordination between schools, employers, and workforce leaders across the state.

Montana’s policy academy team brings together leaders from across the workforce development ecosystem:

• Crystal Armstrong – Administrator, MT DLI Workforce Services Division
• Jennifer Owen – Executive Director, Montana State Workforce Innovation Board
• Sara Schreiner – Chair, Montana Apprenticeship Advisory Council and Owner of The Sunshine Academy
• Glen Disque – MT DLI State Director of Apprenticeship
• Alicia Doney – MT DLI Tribal Youth Engagement Specialist

The team structure reflects the state’s commitment to engaging tribal communities, with Doney serving specifically as Tribal Youth Engagement Specialist to ensure reservation youth have access to apprenticeship opportunities.

Addressing Workforce Gaps

The youth apprenticeship expansion addresses both immediate workforce needs and long-term economic development goals. Montana’s 406 JOBS Initiative focuses on six high-demand sectors that account for 53% of the state’s GDP and 98% of projected job openings.

The state has already demonstrated its capacity to support displaced workers through targeted programs. Following layoffs at Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company that affected approximately 700 workers, the Department of Labor and Industry worked with over 380 affected employees, providing job transition services, skills training, and apprenticeship opportunities through federal dislocated worker funds.

“Just last week, DLI released a new report, showing that more than 100,000 working age Montanans are not employed and not seeking work,” Swanson said when the 406 JOBS Initiative launched. “Through 406 JOBS, we have an opportunity to reconnect people from all parts of the state to meaningful work.”

The NGA Policy Academy represents a strategic investment in preventing future workforce disconnection by creating direct pathways from education to employment for Montana’s next generation of workers.

“406 JOBS will work across the public and private sector to promote career, college, military, and entrepreneurship pathways for Montanans to strengthen our workforce and prepare the next generation,” Gianforte said when announcing the broader initiative.