Public Invited to Comment on Strategy for the Future of Workforce Development in Montana

  • — March 26 2026

Revised State Plan brings Education and Workforce Systems Together to Deliver Results for Montana’s Employers and Workers

Helena, Mont.- The Montana State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB) is seeking public comment regarding the proposed alignment of the state’s education and workforce systems under 406 JOBS, including the priorities of the state’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan.

The proposed changes will advance Montana’s efforts to modernize workforce development by uniting WIOA and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, two federal programs that currently operate separately in Montana. Under the framework of Governor Greg Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative, the proposed changes will focus Montana’s workforce and career education programs on industry-identified priorities and respond better to the needs of Montana’s workers. The proposed Plan revisions align with federal priorities identified in America’s Talent Strategy and respond to Governor Gianforte’s call to reduce red tape in government programs.

“By aligning WIOA and Perkins, we are moving from separate silos to a truly integrated workforce system that helps Montanans transition from education and training into meaningful, high‑wage careers,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor & Industry. “Anchored in the 406 JOBS framework and recent legislative reforms, this combined planning effort strengthens partnerships between education, workforce, and industry so we can reduce red tape and better serve both workers and employers across Montana."

In 2025, the Montana Legislature passed, and Governor Gianforte signed, House Bill 823, directing that the State Workforce Innovation Board participate in the development of the required State Plan for under Perkins V, a Plan traditionally led by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). Both OPI and OCHE have historically participated in the approval of the required WIOA State Plan. HB 823 catalyzed interagency engagement around the education and workforce systems, resulting in a new, collaborative vision that delivers on the goals of 406 JOBS.

“Aligning Montana's workforce and career education plans will strengthen the experience of learners across Montana's colleges and universities and give employers a more reliable pipeline of skilled workers,” said Clayton Christian, Montana's Commissioner of Higher Education. “These plans, and the programs and pathways they drive, connect our schools, universities, and industry as they work together to guide students through education and training and into meaningful careers.”

Highlights of the proposed revision to the WIOA State Plan include:

  • Explicitly treating workforce development, CTE, and work-based learning as a single integrated talent system, not separate program silos;
  • Framing Perkins as a core component of the statewide workforce strategy, with SWIB in a clearer convening role across education, workforce, and industry;
  • Integrating a new Workforce Pell strategy that uses expanded federal Pell eligibility for short-term, high-value workforce and CTE training, reducing cost barriers and aligning Pell-funded training with 406 JOBS sectors and WIOA–Perkins career pathways;
  • Formalizing the shift of federal Adult Education funding from OPI to the Montana Department of Labor & Industry and positioning Adult Education as a bridge for individuals with limited literacy skills into training, apprenticeship, and employment;
  • Embedding AI literacy and AI-driven service modernization as a statewide expectation, not an experiment; and
  • Mapping 406 JOBS to the five pillars of America’s Talent Strategy (Industry Driven Strategies, Worker Mobility, Integrated Systems, Accountability and Results, Flexibility/AI).

“Aligning workforce training with career and technical education is an important step towards giving Montana students direct pathways from the classroom to good-paying careers. Our schools and CTE programs are focused on preparing students for in-demand jobs, and we welcome stronger partnerships to expand these efforts," said Susie Hedalen, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “As this important work progresses, I look forward to the joint leadership that our state’s education and workforce systems can provide in partnership with local communities to help Montana students and businesses reach their full economic potential.”

The SWIB asks stakeholders to review the draft plan and submit feedback during the public comment period. The notice of public comment and the draft plan are posted online for viewing. The public comment period closes at 5 p.m. on April 27, 2026.

SWIB will conduct a public meeting on April 27 to discuss the proposed changes and accept public comment, prior to SWIB’s quarterly meeting on April 28th. Both the public meeting and SWIB quarterly meeting will be held in the Strand Union Building, Ballroom D, on the Montana State University campus. Meeting agendas and further details will be available at swib.mt.gov.

Additional details on 406 JOBS and America’s Talent Strategy can be found at:

Contact

Brenda Bassett

Public Information Officer

Montana Department of Labor and Industry