Montana has received over $5 million in grants to help the long-term unemployed earn a living while learning news skills for a permanent job.

Director of Communications for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Annie Glover in Helena, said the grant was awarded this week through the U.S. Department of Labor through their National Emergency Grant Program.

"What we're trying to do here is really meet the needs of employers across the state and their workforce needs," Glover said. "This helps us to better reach out to these employers and engage them in developing job-training programs, like the Montana Registered Apprentice Program, where people can go in and earn while they learn while on the job and earn credentials."

Glover said this particular program is specifically tailored for the long-term unemployed.

"It's for those are folks who have been out of a job for 27 weeks or more who have had some challenges finding work since their jobs may have left the state, or have been off-shored, or had other challenges," Glover said. "This program will really provide those intensive services that those folks need."

Glover said applying for the training program is simple for those who have been unemployed for the long term.

"Just go right into the local Montana Job Service Office and a staff person will work with them right there," she said.

Governor Steve Bullock said the program will build upon the relationships that were established under a $25 million grant from last year that brought 13 Montana colleges and more than 80 employers together to develop programs to help people develop skills most in demand in the workforce.

Director of Communications for the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Annie Glover

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