Important Notice: Montana Workforce Rapid Training Input Requested

We are reaching out to all organizations and individuals with an interest in Montana’s workforce
system. As you may be aware, the State’s ARPA Workforce Commission approved $6m in
funding for Rapid Training.

These funds are intended to help Montanans access short term
training programs that provide them with the skills needed to fill the significant workforce
vacancies and skill gaps that employers are experiencing across the State.

To that end, the State has tasked Accelerate Montana with coordinating this effort and working
with organizations across Montana to develop or adapt additional trainings to meet the needs for
entry level, high skilled, and management positions across Montana’s priority industries.
Accelerate Montana will be establishing regional recruitment coordinators statewide to expand
this proven methodology for rapid workforce training to all corners of Montana.

The State has established the following metrics with respect to this funding:

• Number of regional cohorts established.

• Number of trainees enrolled in each Rapid Training program (broken down by regional
cohort and training program).

• Number of course completions (broken down by regional cohort and training program).

• Number of trainees hired in related field after course completion.

• Number of training programs (broken down by industry and occupation).

• Cost per training program (broken down by industry and regional cohort)

• Cost per trainee (broken down by industry and regional cohort)

Achieving these outcomes will require the active participation and engagement of multiple
stakeholders, including all institutions within the Montana University System, tribal colleges,
high schools, industry associations, economic development organizations and Chambers of
Commerce. It will also require extensive Statewide outreach, engagement and coordination to
match demonstrated employer hiring needs with the capacity to deliver rapid and responsive
training programs and to recruit ready and willing trainees.

It is anticipated that Accelerate Montana will distribute funding to entities and programs around
the State based on clear criteria that ensure alignment with the program’s metrics.
Accelerate Montana will begin reaching out in February for information gathering and capacity
building. We encourage you to engage and share your ideas and needs to help us deliver the
benefits of this major investment in Montana’s workforce. We are also planning a Rapid
Training Summit in February to further communicate the goals and plans for this program, and we look forward to your participation. To receive further information about the Summit and
updates on the program, please complete this brief registration form.

Sincerely,
Laurie Esau
Commissioner,
Montana Department
of Labor and
Industry

Scott Osterman
Director, Montana
Department of
Commerce

Brock Tessman
Deputy Commissioner
for Academic,
Research, and Student
Affairs
Office of the
Commissioner of
Higher Education

Paul Gladen
Director
Accelerate Montana