Montana Students Poised for Success in Trades, Future Economy

• Anastasia Burton
• September 15 2021

HELENA –At a press conference today in the Capitol, State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, Montana Contractors Association Executive Director David Smith, and representatives from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry talked about the importance of career-readiness opportunities for students and their importance in keeping the state’s economy strong.

“As schools reopen and our students return to the classroom, the Montana Office of Public Instruction has renewed its focus on ensuring every Montana student graduates Montana Ready,” Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said. “We continue to explore innovative techniques, approaches, and tools to support our Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, beginning with our new ‘career coordinator’ positions at the OPI, designed to support both our Montana employers and our CTE educators in forming meaningful industry partnerships to provide real world, career-based workplace experiences for our students,” Arntzen added.  

“After a successful first run this past spring in Billings, Build Montana looks forward to growing the program in that community while eyeing expansion into the Flathead,” said David Smith, Executive Director of the Montana Contractors Association. “Build Montana is a collaboration of contractors, private industry, and school districts to bring students the message that a career in construction can be a rewarding experience for those looking to make a difference. The flexibility that today’s schools are offering have made trades education more accessible to meet the needs of both students and contractors,” noted Smith. “New technologies are changing construction, but what remains constant is that wages offered in our industry continue to be around 25% higher than the median wage in Montana.”

“Employers across Montana are feeling the effects of a worker shortage – a shortage that’s impacting every sector in our state’s economy,” said Laurie Esau, Commissioner of Montana’s Department of Labor & Industry. “Our schools are our most important pipeline for filling these jobs, and it’s critical that we’re equipping students with the skills they need for good-paying careers. A strong focus on career and technical education will help ensure Montana enjoys a robust, skilled workforce for years to come.”

Fostering innovation in CTAE and fully utilizing the industry classroom available in every community across Montana is fundamental to preparing students for the ever-evolving workplace of tomorrow.  Internships, pre-apprenticeships, and micro credentialing are all part of the Montana Ready vision for comprehensive CTE opportunities organized around career-oriented study areas such as: 

Most recent 2020-2021 Student Enrollment Numbers:

• Health Sciences (HOSA): 3,761 students
• Agricultural Education (FFA): 7,793 students
• Business/Marketing (BPA) (DECA): 23,113 students
• Family & Consumer Sciences (FCCLA): 13,811 students
• Industrial Tech/Trade (TSA) (SkillsUSA): 17,787 students

Under Superintendent Arntzen’s leadership, the experts working in the OPI’s CTAE unit are transitioning into industry specific career coordinators, to assist students and teachers in connecting directly to Montana’s robust business community to fully utilize the industry classroom while introducing students to career opportunities. 

For more information about CTE programs in Montana, visit:  https://opi.mt.gov/Educators/Teaching-Learning/Career-Technical-Education-CTE

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