Zinke Announces $4 Million for Apprenticeship Expansion in Montana

Washington, D.C. – Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that the Montana Department of Labor and Industry has been awarded $4 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Labor’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Round 3 (SAFE3) grant program. The grant will support the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) across the state, helping Montanans train for high paying, in demand skilled jobs.

 “Montana has always had a strong skilled trades workforce and economy, and that’s not changing anytime soon,” said Congressman Zinke. “Apprenticeship programs give hardworking Montanans just entering the workforce a path to learn valuable skills that can make them a vital part of our economy for life. Young people can become masters in their trades, own a business and be a leader in the community with a good trade education. I’m glad to see funding go toward addressing these issues, while giving young people a shot at a bright and successful future.”

 The U.S. Department of Labor awarded nearly $84 million to 50 states and territories as part of the SAFE3 initiative. The funding supports national goals to increase the number of active apprentices to one million and follows several executive orders prioritizing workforce development, particularly in high-demand and emerging sectors.

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