Jobs for Montana’s Graduates Receives $11K for Entrepreneur Hub

  • — October 17 2019

HELENA — The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today that Wells Fargo has donated more than $11,000 to the Jobs for Montana’s Graduates program for use at the Billings Career Center.

The $11,250 grant will support the creation of a hands-on, market-driven entrepreneurial learning hub that allows students to learn economic concepts and the importance of engaging communities through leadership and volunteerism.

“We are extremely grateful and appreciative of Wells Fargo and their support for our JMG students,” Billings Public Schools Superintendent Greg Upham said. “This support will offer our students opportunities to build their entrepreneurial skills. It is support like this that creates authentic experiences preparing students to move forward as productive young adults.”

The Billings Career Center, part of the Billings Public Schools system, offers a wide range of vocational and technical education opportunities to area high school students. Students can learn a variety of skills in conjunction with their home high school’s academic curriculum.

The Youth Entrepreneurship and JMG curriculum the learning hub will offer brings student learning to life through learning opportunities in real-life, market-based situations. Students are introduced to economic concepts and develop essential soft skills for success. Currently, 85 students are enrolled in Youth Entrepreneurship and JMG curriculum at the Career Center.

“This is wonderful opportunity for JMG students to enter the workforce or post-secondary education with in-demand entrepreneurial skills gained through project-based learning,” said Christopher Facundo, program manager for Jobs for Montana’s Graduates Southeast Region. “This grant will allow us to have continued success with the Youth Entrepreneurship and JMG curriculum.”

JMG, administered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI), is a state chapter of Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), a national organization dedicated to improving outcomes among students who have serious hurdles to graduation and/or employment. The program started as a JAG chapter 29 years ago to serve middle and high school students across Montana. JMG continues to provide outstanding results for youth who participate in the program across the state.

Jobs for Montana’s Graduates provides students an opportunity to practice decision-making, critical thinking, and leadership skills, while learning the essential soft skills needed for career readiness to gain employment in Montana’s workforce. JMG encourages Montana students to stay in school, graduate and successfully transition from school to the workforce, college, apprenticeships, or military service. The program is funded by DLI to support students in connecting with their communities by providing leadership development, social and civic engagement, and career awareness to over 20,000 students.

For more information on JMG, visit https://jmg.mt.gov/ and http://dli.mt.gov/. To learn more about the Billings Career Center, visit https://www.billingsschools.org/our-schools/high-schools/career-center.

Contact Sam Loveridge: Public Information Officer, Department of Labor and Industry
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