— Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry announced a $1.5 million grant to develop a statewide digital career platform designed to connect students, job seekers and employers with education, training and employment opportunities.
The grant, awarded by nonprofit Britebound, will support development of Montana’s Talent Marketplace, an artificial intelligence-powered platform intended to simplify career planning and help residents identify pathways to employment.
“Every Montanan should have a pathway to a career and a plan to achieve it,” Gianforte said. “With this support from Britebound, we will build a Talent Marketplace that puts career tools in the hands of every student and job seeker in the state.”
The proposed platform will serve as a 24-hour online resource bringing together information about career opportunities, educational programs, professional credentials, apprenticeships and job openings. AI tools will help users identify careers matching their skills and experience and recommend additional education or training.
Students, families and job seekers will be able to compare training costs, potential earnings, dual-enrollment programs, registered apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities.
Funding will integrate existing technology platforms, expand career-planning resources and establish secure connections between education and workforce information systems. The project is part of Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative.
The platform will emphasize students in rural and tribal communities, where geographic distance and limited access to career counseling may create obstacles.
“Young people need more than information about careers. They need opportunities to understand their strengths, explore their options and see a clear next step,” said Julie Lammers, Britebound’s president and chief executive.
The Montana Chamber Foundation will contribute its network of employers, educators and business organizations. Employers will help identify workforce needs and the skills required for available positions.
“Britebound’s investment will help us connect career exploration with real workforce needs and build stronger pathways between schools, training providers and employers,” said Montana Chamber President and CEO Todd O’Hair.
Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Craig Barringer and Dr. Clint Seger of Billings Clinic participated in the announcement.
The Office of Public Instruction, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and State Workforce Innovation Board will also support the project. The state has not announced a public launch date for the Talent Marketplace.