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STATE PROFILE
Montana
Montana Career Resource Network

Program Goals and Emphasis

The Montana CRN’s (MCRN) purpose is to promote improved career and education decision-making by individuals. The program strives to meet the changing needs of student preparation for postsecondary education and entering the labor market.
State Economic Profile

Economic and Environmental Profile

The highest-growth industries include construction, leisure and hospitality, financial activities, natural resources (logging) and mining, and private educational and health services. Montana has a low density of population in a large area of land, historical reliance on extractive industries, distinct regional economies, and a high level of outdoor recreation participation.

The January 2006 unemployment rate was 3.8%, as compared to 4.4% in April 2005.
Key Economic Sectors

• Construction
• Health Care & Social Assistance
• Government
• Leisure & Hospitality
• Professional & Business Services
• Retail Trade
State Career Resource Activities

Highlighted Activities

• MCRN co-wrote, What To Do With Your Life with the Student Assistance Foundation, focusing on preparing students to make career decisions and provide them with information on postsecondary education options. Forty thousand workbooks have been printed and distributed.

• The Montana Career Information System (MCIS) program is available via the Internet for all agencies through user fees, and free for home access. Administrative Tools for MCIS allow teachers and administrators to review the research and activities done by students. MCRN rewards schools for the highest usage of MCIS, with certificates and newsletter recognition for the top ten, a free year’s subscription for the top school, and smaller gifts for the next two.

• The 2005 Career Guide and a new career workbook for elementary students will be available Fall 2005. The Career Guide is distributed free of charge to every sophomore in the state, and is made available to the public and other students upon request.
 
Primary Activities and Trainings

Montana has conducted the following activities and trainings:
• Career Fairs
• Career Information Delivery Systems
• Conference Presentations
• Improved Career Decision-Making in a Changing World
• Jobs for Montana Graduates Program Specialist Training
• The Real Game Series
• Workforce Informer Presentations (on new Web site)
Career Information Delivery Systems (CIDS)

CIDS are computer-based systems providing local, state, and national information about careers and employment opportunities. State sites for CIDS include:

Elementary Schools10
Middle Schools 46
High Schools 150
Community Colleges 9
4-Year Colleges/Universities 8
Other 91
 
Primary Resources

Montana has published the following resources:
• Apprenticeable Occupations in Montana
• Career Tabloids
• Inside Edition
• Prospector’s Portfolio
• Job Hunting Guide for MT with Disabilities
• Newsletter
• State Licensed Occupations Guide
• Who Needs Math and Science
• The Real Game Series

Program Funding and Partnerships

YearAmount
2005$117,592
2004$119,246
2003$119,954
2002$125,604
2001$109,310
Cumulative$591,706
Other Funding Sources

The program receives additional funding from the following source:
• Program Income
Significant Program Partnerships

• Student Assistance Foundation
• Montana School Counselors’ Association
• Office of Commissioner of Higher Education
• Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program

Resource Allocation

Contact Information

State Contact

Project Director
Shaunda Hildebrand
Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Research and Anaylsis Bureau
PO Box 1728
Helena, MT 59624-1728
Phone: (406) 444-3239
Fax: (406) 444-2638
e-mail: shildebrand@mt.gov
Web Site: http://www.ourfactsyourfuture.org
CIDS: http://www.programs-safmt.org/Programs/start.jsp?currentMenuName=MCIS%20&content=mcislogon.jsp
State Administrative Location

Montana Department of Labor and Industry

Regional Contact Information

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