2025 JMG LEAD Conference Unites Montana Students to Build Leadership and Career Readiness Skills
- — October 29 2025
Helena, Mont.- More than 100 students, faculty, and chaperones from across Montana gathered in Helena this week for the 2025 Jobs for Montana’s Graduates (JMG) LEAD Conference, a dynamic, hands-on leadership development event designed to empower young Montanans with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to succeed after graduation.
This year’s LEAD (Leadership, Education, and Development) Conference brought together over 100 participants from 15 schools across the state - from Arlee to Glasgow and Whitehall to Rocky Boy. The event featured team-building challenges, leadership workshops, and networking opportunities with industry professionals and state leaders, all aimed at inspiring participants to see themselves as the next generation of Montana’s workforce leaders.
“Our future workforce begins with the young people in rooms like this one,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor & Industry. “The students who participate in Jobs for Montana’s Graduates programs are developing not just the technical skills employers value, but the leadership, teamwork, and perseverance that make communities thrive. When Montana students lead, Montana grows stronger.”
Throughout the conference, students engaged in interactive sessions focused on communication, goal setting, problem solving, and professional networking. Faculty and JMG specialists facilitated workshops that helped students explore their personal leadership styles and learn how to apply those strengths in both school and future employment.
Participating schools included: Frazer, Nashua, Billings Career Center, Glasgow, Whitehall High, Whitehall Middle, Butte Pathways Academy, Hays Lodgepole, Bridger, Arlee, Plenty Coups, Poplar Middle, Rocky Boy, Paris Gibson, and Reed Point.
The LEAD Conference is a cornerstone of JMG’s statewide programming, providing opportunities for students to connect with peers, employers, and mentors while building the employability and leadership skills needed to achieve success after high school.
About Jobs for Montana’s Graduates
Jobs for Montana’s Graduates (JMG) is a program of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry dedicated to helping students overcome barriers to graduation and career success. Through classroom instruction, individual coaching, and employer engagement, JMG equips young Montanans with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in the workforce or continue their education.
Schools interested in joining JMG and helping their students build the same leadership, confidence, and career readiness skills showcased at the LEAD Conference are encouraged to contact the Montana Department of Labor & Industry to learn how to bring JMG to their classrooms and communities. By partnering with JMG, schools can open powerful new doors of opportunity helping their students unlock their potential, strengthen their futures, and lead Montana forward. It is JMG’s goal for every junior high and high school in Montana to offer this transformative program, ensuring that every student across the state has access to the skills and support they need to succeed. Now is the time for schools to take the next step- join JMG and help build a brighter future for Montana’s students, communities, and workforce.
Contact
Heather Merritt Director- Jobs for Montana Graduates
hmerritt@mt.gov
(406) 758-6221 Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Contact
Jay Phillips: Deputy Commissioner, Department of Labor and Industry