Governor Steve Bullock today released the 2020 Montana Registered Apprenticeship Data Report during a visit to the Missoula College Carpentry Shop to highlight how apprenticeship has consistently played a significant role in the Montana economy and continues to be essential as the state recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Apprenticeship has long been integral to Montana’s workforce development and continues to be an innovative way to meet the emerging needs in the state’s economy for both workers and businesses as we work toward economic recovery,”
“At the Missoula College, apprentices can pursue in demand careers like carpentry and other growing fields to find a good paying job and supply businesses with talented and trained workers they need to stabilize and eventually expand their business.”
“At Missoula College we provide our students with a hands-on learning experience so that they can develop the skills needed to immediately succeed in the workforce and meet the growing labor demands in our state,”
“Through our apprenticeship programs, we connect ambitious students directly with local employers – allowing them to earn while they learn.”
Governor Bullock was joined by carpentry, welding, machining, heavy equipment operations and diesel technology students at the Missoula College’s West Campus. Missoula College provides technical instruction for a variety of apprenticeships including carpentry, , information technology, accounting, medical technician and medical claims processing. Next semester, the college will begin offering a new construction preparedness program, created with the assistance of a DLI Apprenticeship Incentive Grant of $4,500.
The report shows apprenticeship has contributed significantly to the economic success of Montana workers and continues to expand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montana Registered Apprenticeship Program is on track to finish 2020 with an increased number of active apprentices and sponsors compared to 2019. Apprenticeships also contribute to the success of Montana’s workers. A year after graduation, apprentices earn an average wage of $58,086, nearly $11,600 higher than the statewide average wage.
Construction-related trades, which include carpentry, make up the greatest share of apprenticeships overall. Of those in construction, 34 percent of apprentices are in programs for electricians and 21 percent for plumbing.
Additional highlights from the 2020 apprenticeship report include: