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Montana’s two-year colleges to address shortage of manufacturing workers

Spika Welding and Manufacturing http://www.spikawelding.com/ in Lewistown starts its skilled employees at $15 to $22 an hour, a competitive wage in a town of 6,500 people. Go elsewhere in the state and the pay nearly doubles.

But despite the wages, health insurance, promise of steady work and the option of buying into a 401K, finding skilled workers to fill jobs in the state’s manufacturing sector isn’t easy.

"It’s getting tougher and tougher to find people who have those skills," said company president Tom Spika. "We’re experiencing a severe skills gap and workforce shortage for many of us requiring skilled welders, machinists and other manufacturing positions."

Spika, who also chairs the Montana Manufacturing Council, said welders are in high demand across the state, along with machine operators and other industrial trades. Finding employees versed in 3-D modeling isn’t easy, and work in the oilfields is growing.

By Martin Kidston

Full Story: http://ravallirepublic.com/missoula/news/state-and-regional/article_b37ffc94-724d-5d35-914d-bd4d5e6383ee.html

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