Workforce ranks as top economic development challenge in Montana, experts say

A growing chorus around the state is singing the praises of workforce development. For Montana’s economy to expand, it needs more workers trained and ready to work, experts say.
For one pillar of the economy — the construction industry— the need for workers has intensified to the point that essentially anyone who can pass a drug test is hired.

The need for workers “is the biggest problem facing construction companies in Montana,” said Cary Hegreberg, executive director of Montana Contractors’ Association. While pointing out that it is a problem throughout the country, he said, “The workforce shortage is hugely problematic for contactors across the board, and it does not seem to matter if it’s in the skilled trades, equipment operators, laborers or project supervisors.”

Keith Kelly, Montana commissioner of labor and industry, recently added his voice to the chorus in a presentation in Billings outlining the plans of the Schweitzer administration for the Montana economy.

“Nobody is cheaper than we are,” he said, referring to Montana’s low labor costs, which are attractive to companies looking to expand or move. Yet, economic development is getting “backed up” by a shortage of trained workers, he said.
Kelly also spoke about the governor’s proposal of a major coal liquification/gasification plant for eastern Montana. It could take 5,000 people to build such a plant and 2,000 jobs to run it, Kelly said. But such a plant, if it is built, might not become a reality for 15 years.

Local News By Dave Burgess

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