Missoula, Montana’s CM Manufacturing starts apprentice program – $17-$20 an hour right out of high school

The business world doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for the government to step in with programs to educate young people in industrial skills

The shortage of skilled industrial technology workers in Missoula has gotten so severe that one business owner has taken things into his own hands to offer an employment path for high school students who want to make as much as $17 to $20 an hour right after they graduate.

Ken Johnson, of CM Manufacturing, has been working with Big Sky High School and Missoula College for the last several years to develop a 15-credit, one-year machining degree for high school students. He’s had the help of guidance counselors, administrators and teachers at both institutions, and the first class is underway.