Highlands College of Montana Tech receives $5.75 million to train broadband workers
Highlands College of Montana Tech has been awarded $5,750,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor to develop micro credential programs that will train broadband workers across Western Montana in partnership with other academic institutions and local telecommunications employers.
The grant is one of 18 awarded to colleges in 14 states to support programs that help community colleges scale affordable, high-quality workforce training to meet employers’ and workers’ skill development needs in critical industry sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, semiconductors and biotechnology. The funding is part of the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants program administered by the Employment and Training Administration.
“The Biden-Harris administration is investing in training programs that end in a job, rather than a job search,” Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su said. “Our Strengthening Community Colleges grantees run programs that help lift whole communities, like by helping community colleges equip workers with the skills they need right now, while strengthening workforce infrastructure. This is how we fundamentally shift workforce training programs to better invest in improving the lives of America’s workers.”
The program will fund a mobile training lab for broadband installation. Certifications will include offerings in commercial driver’s license (CDL), heavy equipment, splicing, safety, professional skills, flagging, and rigging certifications.
“We look forward to working with our partners to ensure the benefits of this grant are felt throughout the community and state, by providing individuals the skills needed to succeed in this rapidly evolving industry,” said Highlands College Dean Karen VanDaveer.
Partners in the program include Highlands College, Flathead Valley Community College, Missoula College, Accelerate Montana, Education Design Lab, Blackfoot Communications, NorthWestern Energy, Rocky Mountain Contractors, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 44 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 206, Action, Inc., Salish Kootenai College, Butte High School, Montana Technological University’s Safety, Health and Industrial Hygiene Department, and Montana Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
“Highlands College is honored to receive a Strengthening Community College Training Grant to educate individuals for high-demand, high-quality careers as broadband technicians,” Director of Dual Enrollment and Highlands College Grants and Contracts Bernie Phelps said. “This initiative not only creates career pathways for students but also supports economic stability and growth in our region by meeting critical workforce needs in the broadband industry.”
The grant aims to train 280 broadband workers over a four-year period. Enrollment will begin in Fall 2025. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for telecommunications technicians in 2023 was $62,350 per year. According an August 2024 press release from Governor Greg Gianforte’s office, nearly $939 million has been allocated to expand broadband in Montana since 2023.
For more information, reach out to Phelps at bphelps@mtech.edu