Frederick Van Den Abbeel, Business Attraction Manager with the Montana Department of Commerce, noted the state has a number of flagship programs that provide training for both existing and new employees and businesses including:

• Workforce Training Grants encourage job creation in primary sector businesses and offer training incentives for new businesses.
• Incumbent Worker Training Program is a competitive grant program that provides funds for Montana’s small businesses to offer employees skill-based training or certified education for their existing businesses.
• Big Sky Economic Development Program, created by the 2005 Legislature, is funded out of the state’s Coal Tax Severance Trust Fund. It provides business grants of up to $7,500 per net new employee. Use of the funds is flexible; many businesses put it toward capital investments.

Van Den Abbeel said Montana is making large, creative investments to develop its industry workforce pipelines. One initiative, Skill Up Montana, utilizes university resources, public-private partnerships, and proficiency-based learning to develop this pipeline. Another is Accelerate Montana. This business-based program will provide a talent pool and expert training in a variety of industries.

By Carol Radice