Senator Baucus Announces Eastern Montana Workforce Development Initiative

Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus announced today an important step toward supporting good-paying jobs in Montana’s rapidly growing energy industry. To follow up on his Call to Action in the Bakken http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=845 , Baucus is launching the Eastern Montana Energy Workforce Development Initiative along with partners in the Montana University System, eastern Montana community colleges and tribal colleges, with leadership provided by Montana State University-Northern and Miles Community College. Recent estimates show there are around 18,000 jobs that need to be filled in the Bakken region. The initiative is designed to streamline, promote and focus on training Montanans in state so they can land energy related jobs in the Bakken region. Currently, many energy companies operating in Montana rely on workers trained at out-of-state facilities.

"This is truly a Montana solution for Montana jobs – there’s no reason why energy companies and related industries should not be hiring workers trained and educated right here in the state. This initiative sends the message far and wide that Montana is proactively working to rewrite the cycle of boom and bust," said Baucus. "I’m pleased to see our community colleges and our state’s higher education system working together to answer our call to action in the Bakken."

Dr. Stefani Hicswa, President of Miles Community College said, "We appreciate all that Senator Baucus is doing for eastern Montana. In order for MCC to address the emerging workforce training needs in the Bakken, it is imperative that industry is aware of all that we can do to assist in matching trained workers with the job opportunities. This initiative is one more example of how Max listens to our needs and responds to eastern Montana."

"MSU-Northern is very excited to be a partner with Senator Baucus and the other higher education units on this very important endeavor. On behalf of MSUN, I want to thank Senator Baucus for his quick response in providing resources to initiate this important action and we look forward to working closely with the Senator and his office," said Dr. James Limbaugh, Chancellor of MSU-Northern.

Tony Preite, who Baucus recently announced as the new multi-agency rural development coordinator for energy impacted communities http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=978 said the new initiative is an important step forward for the region. "I highly commend the Montana higher education community for developing this project and also Senator Max Baucus for providing the funding and support." Preite also serves as Director of University Outreach and Economic Development at MSU-Northern.

The Eastern Montana Energy Workforce Development Initiative at-a-glance:

* Goal: To create and support good-paying Montana jobs by educating energy industry workers and maximizing energy industry education to support Montana’s energy boom in the Bakken region.

* The initiative’s first project is to execute a comprehensive study and produce a catalog of available educational resources at participating institutions.

* In the initial phase, the study will aim to identify important educational needs that are of interest to energy company employers but not currently available.

* $9,500 in funds from the 2010 2010 Montana Economic Development Summit http://www.baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=196 will be used to launch the initiative.

MORE INFORMATION/ONLINE RESOURCES:

READ: Max’s letter to President Obama: "Call to Action in the Bakken" online HERE http://www.baucus.senate.gov/01312012_BaucusBakkenCalltoActionLettertoPOTUS.pdf

READ: What Montanans are saying about Baucus’ call for an "all hands on deck" approach to economic development in the Bakken and read more online HERE: http://www.baucus.senate.gov/CalltoActionintheBakken.pdf