| Montana’s workforce and education systems have reached an important milestone, and I’m inviting you to help shape what comes next. Under Governor Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative, we are working to align two major federal programs that have historically operated in separate silos: the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). By developing a unified plan for these systems, we are moving from coordination to true integration, building one talent system that better serves Montana’s students, workers, and employers. Montana is proposing to submit to the US Department of Labor an updated plan under WIOA to formalize a shared vision across the education and workforce systems, including the State Workforce Innovation Board, Department of Labor & Industry (DLI), the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). The proposed changes reflect the critical role of industry in leading workforce development in Montana, align Montana’s workforce and career education strategies with 406 JOBS and America’s Talent Strategy, and reduce red tape so services are easier to navigate for both workers and businesses. Among other changes, the draft plan: - Treats workforce development, career and technical education, and work-based learning as parts of a single, integrated talent system rather than separate program silos.
- Clarifies Perkins’ role as a core component of the statewide workforce strategy, with SWIB serving as a convening body across education, workforce, and industry partners.
- Introduces a Workforce Pell strategy to leverage expanded federal Pell eligibility for short-term, high‑value training aligned to 406 JOBS priority sectors and WIOA–Perkins career pathways.
- Formalizes the administration of WIOA Title II Adult Education funding at the Department of Labor & Industry and positions Adult Education as a bridge from foundational skills into training, Registered Apprenticeship, and employment.
- Embeds AI literacy and AI‑driven service modernization as a statewide expectation to improve access, quality, and responsiveness.
- Maps the 406 JOBS framework to the five pillars of America’s Talent Strategy, ensuring Montana’s work is aligned with national priorities while remaining grounded in local needs.
Now we need your perspective and expertise. I invite you to review the draft plan and submit comments during the public comment period, which is open now through 5:00 p.m. on April 27, 2026. The notice of public comment is available at dli.mt.gov/rules, and the full draft plan is posted at https://swib.mt.gov/program-information/public-comment. Additional background information is available at the link below. In addition to written comments, I encourage you to join us in person in Bozeman, April 27-28. On April 27, SWIB will host a public meeting to walk through the proposed WIOA State Plan changes, discuss what’s ahead for the combined WIOA-Perkins State Plan, and take broad feedback on how we can continue to align WIOA and Perkins in practice to achieve our shared goals. We will be joined by experts from the National Governors Assn, who will provide a briefing on best practices for education and workforce systems alignment. We will conclude the day with a presentation on Workforce Pell from DLI and OCHE. On April 28, SWIB will hold its Spring Quarterly Meeting, where members will finalize the WIOA State Plan modification as well as deliberate on the implementation of Workforce Pell, as highlighted in the revised WIOA State plan. Both meetings will be held in the Strand Union Building, Ballroom D, on the Montana State University campus. The meeting agenda and additional details are available at swib.mt.gov. Your participation in Bozeman is a key opportunity to help refine this unified system so that it works for the communities and industries you represent. Montana’s success depends on a talent system that is responsive, integrated, and aligned with real-world needs. With your input, we can ensure this plan not only reflects a major systems accomplishment on paper, but meaningful tears down barriers to work and opportunity for Montanans in every corner of our state. Thank you in advance for your engagement and for all you do to support Montana’s workforce. Sincerely, Sarah Swanson
Commissioner
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Adam Gilbertson
Chair
State Workforce Innovation Board PRESS RELEASE: Public Invited to Comment on Strategy for the Future of Workforce Development in Montana | 
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