Key stakeholders meet to shape future of broadband training at Montana colleges
BUTTE, Mont. — A group of key stakeholders convened in Uptown Butte to put a more than $5 million grant to use to help develop broadband workforce training programs.
A convening meeting of the Montana Rapid Broadband Training Initiative took place throughout Tuesday at the NorthWestern Energy Headquarters, with Highlands College and the non-profit Education Design Lab serving as host.
Highlands has received a $5.75 million rant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create a course to prepare students for broadband jobs across Western Montana.
The meeting featured collaborative discussions between key stakeholders in education, industry, government, and workforce development as they seek to iron out the specifics of what should be included in the training technician micro pathway program.
“Everybody is really excited for the collaborative aspect of this initiative. We’re really learning what industry needs and wants from their employees. That way we can tailor programs specifically for our state,” said Francis Bristol, program director for Strengthening Community Colleges.