Montana Department of Labor & Industry Announces Expansion of Registered Apprenticeships Statewide
- — July 16 2026
HELENA, Mont. - The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) has been awarded more than $800,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration under the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 4 (SAEF4) grant program. The three-year award, running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, will fund continued growth of Montana's Registered Apprenticeship system, with a targeted focus on AI infrastructure and related industries.
“Montana is proud to lead the nation in expanding apprenticeship opportunities for leading industries to grow our skilled workforce and meet the needs of job creators,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With this additional funding, the Department of Labor and Industry will work towards an ambitious goal of growing our programs by creating additional pathways to serve more Montanans.”
The grant builds directly on Governor Greg Gianforte's 406 JOBS Initiative, established by Executive Order 5-2025 on August 11, 2025, which charges the State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB) with modernizing Montana's workforce system and ensuring every Montanan has a pathway to a career and a plan to achieve it. The Executive Order also directs a focus on AI and automation to support small businesses and prepare Montana students and workers for the future of work in the state.
"This funding lets us build on the momentum we've already created through 406 JOBS," said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor and Industry. "Registered Apprenticeship gives Montanans a way to earn a paycheck while they train for in-demand careers, and this award helps us bring that opportunity to more workers and more employers across the state, particularly in the Advanced Manufacturing & Computing high-demand sector."
Statewide Growth Goals
Montana will use the SAEF4 award to pursue an ambitious set of statewide targets over the three-year grant period, as identified in the 406 JOBS Year One Workplan:
- 20% year-over-year growth in active Registered Apprenticeship participation, achieving a target of nearly 5,000 by June 2029
- 50% growth in pre-apprenticeship pathways
- 12 new apprenticeship pathways created each year of the grant, for a total of 36 new pathways
- Reducing program approval time by 15%, from an average of 26 days to about 22 days
Targeting AI Infrastructure and Related Industries
Montana will also prioritize funds to expand apprenticeships in AI infrastructure and the industries that support it: utilities, professional and technical services, and advanced manufacturing.
To meet workforce demands DLI will offer:
- $1,000 incentives to employers and sponsors who partner with DLI to incorporate AI competencies, including the US DOL AI Literacy Framework into existing apprenticeship trade schedules
- $3,500 incentives to employers and sponsors who register a new apprentice in a targeted occupation, paid after the apprentice completes their first six months
Building on Existing Momentum
Montana's Registered Apprenticeship program is already active in 47 of the state's 56 counties, with 16 new occupations added to the program since 2022, including construction and building inspectors, barbers, wind turbine service technicians, and veterinary technicians. The state's apprenticeship team, together with DLI's Business Engagement Team, Career Developer team, and network of 18 Job Service offices statewide, will support outreach, employer engagement, and pre-apprenticeship pathway development in schools throughout the grant period.
Employers sponsoring a Registered Apprenticeship program in Montana can also benefit from Montana's Apprenticeship Tax Credit, which reduces employers' tax liability for apprentices who complete a probationary training period.
About Registered Apprenticeship in Montana
The Montana Registered Apprenticeship (MRAP) program combines at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training with 144 hours of related coursework per year, or a competency-based model in which apprentices advance as they demonstrate mastery of defined skills. Montana Registered Apprenticeship completion certificates are recognized in all 50 states.
Visit Montana Registered Apprenticeship for more information about Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Montana and State Workforce Innovation Board for more information on the 406 JOBS initiative.
Contact
Public Information Officer
Montana Department of Labor and Industry