Montana SWIB Advances WIOA State Plan Updates, Strengthens 406 JOBS Workforce Strategy
- — April 28 2026
BOZEMAN, Mont. - Following its Spring Quarterly meeting, held April 27-28, the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB) announced significant progress toward aligning education, workforce development, and industry needs under Governor Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative, including advancing implementation of the new federal Workforce Pell program.
SWIB also approved a revised Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan that incorporates the State’s Perkins V Plan and unites federal workforce funding and career education funding into a single system to better serve Montana.
“These updates reflect Montana’s commitment to a workforce system that is responsive, coordinated, and driven by real industry demand,” said Sarah Swanson, Montana Commissioner of Labor & Industry. “We continue to cut red tape, streamline government operations, and align our systems with what employers actually need. 406 JOBS is about closing the labor shortages in our state and providing real opportunity for Montana workers to find high-wage jobs that support their families.”
The approved updates emphasize stronger integration between education and workforce programs, ensuring both systems focus on preparing students for the workforce and helping employers find the workers they need. This improved alignment, guided by the 406 JOBS framework, places equal value on college pathways and career-focused options, including registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities.
Key advancements include:
- Deeper WIOA–Perkins integration, aligning funding, strategy, and outcomes across education and workforce systems
- Embedding the 406 JOBS initiative statewide, with increased emphasis on industry leadership and meaningful employer engagement in program design
- Implementation of unified performance metrics across agencies to ensure accountability and measurable results
- Preliminary development of Workforce Pell Program standards for Montana, preparing the State to certify eligible programs beginning later this year.
During the meeting, SWIB members also heard updates from state and federal education partners, including the U.S. Department of Education, and engaged stakeholders across K-12, higher education, and industry in discussions on career and technical education priorities.
“With industry leading the way, we are making real progress in cutting through the red tape that has hampered our workforce system in Montana for too long,” said Adam Gilbertson, chair of the State Workforce Innovation Board. “I am grateful to Governor Gianforte for challenging us to truly modernize how employers engage with K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and workforce partners across the state. There is still a lot of work that needs to take place, but I am confident that Montana is leading the way in creating opportunity.”
The agenda also featured an industry-led panel on artificial intelligence and automation, highlighting emerging workforce trends, as well as updates on sector partnerships, registered apprenticeships, and other 406 JOBS initiatives aimed at expanding career pathways for Montanans.
For more information, visit State Workforce Innovation Board.
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Public Information Officer
Montana Department of Labor and Industry