Governor Gianforte highlights apprenticeship opportunities at Highlands College

Proclaims this week Youth Apprenticeship Week

BUTTE– Governor Greg Gianforte this week highlighted apprenticeship opportunities in Montana by visiting with the Highlands College pre-apprentice line program.

“Promoting and increasing access to apprenticeship opportunities and trades education empowers Montanans and ensures employers have a highly-skilled workforce,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Montana employers and educators play an important role in supporting apprenticeship opportunities and trades education, and we thank them for their investment.”

The governor visited the Highlands College pre-apprentice line program to learn more about the opportunities available to students interested in becoming a line worker.

The one-semester, pre-apprentice line certificate program prepares students for groundman and apprentice positions within the line trade. Upon completion of the course, students also are provided the pathway to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver’s License before entering the workforce.

Partnering with local employers, the program helps to connect students to jobs in the construction and utilities industry after graduation.

Visiting with students in the program and watching a demonstration, the governor learned more about the course that instructs on how to assist with the installation, construction, maintenance, and repair of electrical power line systems.

This week, the governor declared the week of May 5-11 as Youth Apprenticeship Week in Montana to emphasize the advantages of apprenticeships in enabling Montana workers and ensuring employers have access to a workforce with in-demand skills. View the proclamation here.

Montanans can learn more about Montana’s Registered Apprenticeship Program by visiting apprenticeship.mt.gov.