“If you want to teach people a new way of thinking, don’t bother trying to teach them. Instead, give them a tool, the use of which will lead to new ways of thinking.” – R. Buckminster Fuller, author, inventor, architect, futurist.

“There can be infinite uses of the computer and of new technology [in training], but if the instructors themselves are not able to bring it to the learners and make it work, then it fails.”- U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum

“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” – Zig Ziglar, a motivational speaker, trainer, and author of more than two dozen motivational books.

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunity – Database Coordinator – Glacier National Park Conservancy

  The Glacier National Park Conservancy is the official non-profit fundraising partner for Glacier National Park. Through donations and retail sales, we provide funding for vital projects and programs that preserve and protect the park. Position Overview: The Database Coordinator ensures the accuracy and integrity of the donor database.

• Montana Career Opportunities – Quality Assurance Specialist, Configuration Specialist, Business Analyst and more… – GL Solutions

  GL Solutions, a software company with locations in Bend and Kalispell, provides a place for extraordinarily talented friends to struggle, learn and grow together, while building something bigger than themselves.   When given a choice between hiring the best attitude or the most experience, GL Solutions always hires the best attitude.

• Software Company GL Solutions Relocates from Bend, Oregon to Kalispell in Montana’s Flathead Valley – Career Opportunities

  In 2018, Moseley started shopping around in other states for cities with a lower cost of living and more relaxed taxes to relocate his technology company. After visiting the Idaho towns of Moscow, Coeur d’Alene, Boise and Idaho Falls, as well as Reno, Nevada, he landed on Kalispell.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

• Labor and Employment 2021 Symposium with Dorsey’s Labor & Employment Group – 4/15 – 7:30AM- 11:30 AM MST Online

  Sessions will focus on practical advice for employers in these uncertain and rapidly-changing times.

Montana Department of Commerce

• Montana Department of Commerce Awards Business Development Funding across 15 Montana Communities

  “When small businesses across Montana thrive, our communities and the hard-working Montanans who live and work here have new opportunities to prosper as well,” said Commerce Director Scott Osterman.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Missoula officials, state leaders oppose statistical change to ‘metropolitan’ areas

  The proposal could remove Missoula from the list, as well as Great Falls, forcing them to relinquish millions of dollars in federal funding, including revenue targeted for housing.

• Montana organizations seek solutions to statewide Skills Gap issue

  The Montana Chamber of Commerce released survey results from 2020 detailing that out of nearly 1000 respondents, 36% of businesses had to turn down growth opportunities due to a lack of skilled workers. Career fields included construction, engineering, and more.

• Two Days Remain for Comments on Rural Definition Change

  Nearly 300 comments – overwhelmingly opposing the change – have been filed in response to the proposal from the Office of Management and Budget.

• Have You Met This Guy?

  I don’t have anything against That Guy. He seems nice, he’s certainly very smart and competent, and I bet he and I would have a great conversation about land use over beers.

  I just don’t want the way my community grows to be dependent on people like him.

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

• Today’s TED Talk – Online learning could change academia — for good

  Innovations in digital content and virtual reality are ushering in the future of learning, emphasizing why academia must adapt to this new reality and embrace an approach to education that works with students’ needs — not against them.

• Working From Home With Inadequate Information Takes Physical Toll

  For workers whose companies haven’t provided assistance, financial or otherwise, medical experts say there are still a number of things they can do on their own.

• Trepademics – Every Employee Now Needs Additional Skills Training – How to be an effective Remote Worker

  We know the skills and tools to build your capacity as a Remote Worker. If you are a business owner, we also know how to implement a virtual internship program to support your needs.

• Ford gives 30,000 employees the option to work from home forever, another sign of workforce transformation

  Many workers will have a new ‘hybrid option’ to work both remotely and in-person, starting in July

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• New legislation could ban public Wi-Fi if passed

  There are almost 20,000 incorporated communities across the US. If this bill were to pass, none of them would be legally allowed to build public broadband networks.

• Gianforte administration proposes $250M broadband expansion plan

  If Montana doesn’t modernize its Internet infrastructure, it won’t be able to compete for businesses of the future, which will rely more and more on higher speeds of electronic data transfer, said Commerce Director Scott Osterman.

Housing

• What is a SPAC and why is it such a big trend in real estate?

  SPACs are also commonly known as “blank check” companies. Investors are essentially giving the SPAC’s managers a blank check to go shopping for an acquisition target.

Visit Montana

• Blackfeet leaders vote to open the eastern entrance to Glacier National Park

  “With the move to Phase 3, as well as consultation with medical authorities and the high rate of vaccination on the Blackfeet Reservation, the Council felt it was time to allow the east entrance to open.”

21st Century Education Initiative – “You Should Care…”

• “How to Zoom” is a must have skill set for everyone. Expertise should be a core requirement for all school grades as well as all employees.

  Montana’s education system needs to quickly develop a curriculum for our future leaders to give them the abilities to fully utilize online education.

• University of Montana to offer Mule Packing Classes during Summer School – Mules on the Oval – 3/23 – Noon

  Among other classes this summer, students can learn about “Wilderness Policy and Packing” (May 18-June 4) and go on a five-day “Wilderness Pack Trip” (June 28-July 3) into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with Dr. Eva-Maria Maggi.

• Temple Grandin speaks from experience, offers workforce guidance for young adults on the autism spectrum

  Dr. Grandin has earned international recognition. She was one of the first adults to publicly share she’s on the autism spectrum and she’s played a big role in breaking down the stigma that comes with the condition.

Rural Communities

• Snowbird Fund organizers meet with MT Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force

  Organizers of the fund say in the three weeks since the fund was announced, they have already given two grants and that they will continue to focus on raising awareness in tribal communities that this money is there and available to help.

Careers

• 6 ways to write a cover letter that inspires—and gets you hired

  If you’re looking to stand out, your letter must be gracious, clear, compelling, and well-structured.

Transportation

• Listen: ‘Out West’ highlights the challenges, opportunities for Electric Vehicles in the rural West – Western Governors’ Association

  The episode hosted by WGA Policy Advisor Kevin Moss discusses the challenges of operating electric vehicles (EVs) in the rural West and talks with experts about how to grow ownership of EV cars as well as farming and ranching equipment.

• Every carmaker that’s truly going all electric to compete with Tesla

  No gas. No hybrids. Just pure electric.

• New Modular Drivetrain Easily Converts Pickup Trucks Into EVs

  The drivetrain, called eBeam, gives automaker the ability to electrify their trucks without sacrificing utility and functionality — the system is built to support “high-payload vehicles,” the company says.

• The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center’s mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity.

  Great events to help your state and community develop better transportation solutions.

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