Baucus tours MSU Tech, speaks in support of grant for post-secondary education and vocational training

Businesses recruit students from Steve Thurston’s auto body program at MSU-Great Falls College of Technology before they’ve even completed the two-year program. Starting wages range from $8 to $15 per hour.

By JO DEE BLACK

Tribune Staff Writer

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041028/BUSINESS/410280329/1046

It’s the type of program that will get a boost from legislation that U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D.-Mont., is pushing, he says.

Baucus toured the MSU-Great Falls College of Technology on Wednesday afternoon and used the opportunity to explain the pluses of a bill he is co-sponsoring with Sen. Mike Enzi, R.-Wyo.

The bill earmarks $65 million for several projects, including grants for two-year post secondary educational programs that teach skills for high-demand occupations.

The money will also be used to increase the federal loan cap for the first two years of college by $2,000 for students enrolled in such programs.

Another program provides grants for short-term training for small business owners.

The $65 million will come by increasing the bonding capacity of the U.S. Department of Education by 9 1/2 percent.

"Our two-year community and technical colleges are the present and future for workforce training," Baucus said. "This is just a step to help these institutions."

The bill will be reintroduced in the Senate in January and may be attached to the post-secondary education appropriation bill.

Small businesses can use a boost when it comes to help with training, said Sharon Odden, vice president of Easter Seals in Great Falls.

"I have a program to train wait staff, but someone has to pay the trainer and that’s hard for many small businesses," she said.

Student can use a boost too.

Jenessa Nitschke is a 22-year-old studying business at MSU Tech. The mother of an 18-month-old, she says it would be easier to make ends meet while in school with $2,000 more in federal loans.

"Absolutely, it would help a lot," she said.

Black can be reached at (406) 791-6502 or by e-mail at [email protected].