Montana Apprenticeships provide a step up to good careers

Apprenticeship is a system designed to ensure that employers can hire qualified workers for a variety of skilled jobs in both the public and private sector.

Wherever he travels throughout the state promoting apprenticeships, George Kesel points out that program isn’t a fall-back strategy for people who don’t have a lot of interest in going to college.

"It’s an exceptional way to learn a skill," said Kesel, a field representative for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. "It’s hands-on training with college-level coursework specific to the profession." http://wsd.dli.mt.gov/apprenticeship/default.asp

By TOM HOWARD

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/business/features/montana-apprenticeships-provide-a-step-up-to-good-careers/article_6cf080db-b732-5a43-b41b-997a9fb14971.html#ixzz39LY4O6SJ

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"Registered apprenticeship is an important resource for employers and an opportunity for workers in these demanding times. In the environment of "down sizing" and "right sizing" the workforce must be more efficient and productive. The better we train Montana’s workforce today, the more likely they will be up to the challenges in tomorrow’s work place.

As unemployment figures decline, the availability of skilled workers is diminished. The remaining people are likely to be those with skills that do not meet those of current employment opportunities in today’s job market. The Apprenticeship and Training Program, Department of Labor and Industry can help fill this void through services provided to Montana employers.

http://wsd.dli.mt.gov/apprenticeship/default.asp