Workforce Services Division

Barbara Wagner - Interim — Administrator

Employers

Workforce Services Division

The Workforce Services Division (WSD) is charged with three primary goals to ensure that workforce development in Montana remains strong and growing.

  • Montana employers understand the labor market and have a skilled and ready workforce that meets their needs, today and tomorrow.
  • Montana workers understand the job market and have access to skills development opportunities and job search assistance services.
  • Business, job seekers, educators, students, workforce and economic development partners, and the general public all have a place to go to learn about the workforce and a way to connect with each other to keep it growing.


WSD provides services to all Montana businesses and citizens via a network of 17 offices across the state staffed by committed and talented workforce professionals. If you have any questions about how we might help you, please feel free to explore our website, contact your nearest Job Service office.

Featured News

Labor Commissioner Sarah Swanson talks exploding construction sector, climate jobs and more
May 01, 2024
Swanson’s appointment to the head of the 800-person agency comes at a significant moment in Montana: the state’s huge post-pandemic job creation rush has slowed, although certain sectors like . . .
New bill tells Department of Labor to back off apprenticeship programs
May 01, 2024
The “Apprenticeship Freedom Act” from House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., was obtained exclusively by The Center Square. The proposed legislation in question would “amend . . .
Governor Gianforte, DLI Launch Tool to Assist Displaced Lumber Industry Workers
April 26, 2024
HELENA, Mont. – Today, Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson announced a new tool to assist workers affected by the recent lumber mill . . .
MT Dept. of Labor projects 6,000 healthcare job openings per year
March 14, 2024
MTDLI projects 638 openings for RNs per year, for which the median wage is $76,550. Over half are projected to be due to retirement. Another eight percent are expected to be due to increased demand caused by the . . .
Montana labor force hits all-time high in January
March 14, 2024
Montana's unemployment was lower than the national average of 3.7% with 3.3% in January. In January total employment added 400 workers and payroll jobs increased by 300. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry . . .
State Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in November
December 22, 2023
More than 41,000 jobs created since January 2021 HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), today announced the . . .
Montana Reports Fewer Work-Related Fatalities in 2022
December 20, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the 2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, an annual study conducted jointly by the agency and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics that . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Announces Results of 2022 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
December 14, 2023
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. In 2022, employees of Montana businesses in all industries experienced a . . .
Montana Reaches 24th Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
November 20, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana reached its 24th consecutive month of unemployment below 3%. Prior to the governor taking office, Montana’s unemployment rate had . . .
Montana Successfully Replaces Decades-Old Unemployment Insurance System
November 09, 2023
System modernization will improve customer experience, increase efficiencies, save taxpayer resources MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry has successfully launched its new unemployment . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Adds First-Ever Tribal Liaison to Leadership Team
October 26, 2023
Blackfeet Nation member Don Wetzel Jr., with 20+ years of experience working with native communities, to lead Department’s tribal outreach Don Wetzel, Jr. DLI Tribal Laison   HELENA -The . . .
Montana Reaches 22nd Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
September 19, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in August was below 3% for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the country’s . . .
Great Falls College Graduates 8 Students from first Cohort of Accelerated Structural Welding Course
September 08, 2023
Montana DLI, Great Falls College, Private Industry Partner to Hold Accelerated Structural Welding Course Welding Student Kala Pedersen GREAT FALLS- Eight students graduated the first-of-its-kind six-week . . .
Labor Day Report: Montana's Economy Strong & Poised for Growth
September 07, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson today presented the 2023 Labor Day Report to Montanans. “Montana enjoyed a historic year of record job growth, low . . .
Montana’s Unemployment Rate Below 3% For 21st Consecutive Month
August 21, 2023
More Montanans Working Today Than Ever Before HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in July is below 3% for the 21st consecutive month. The only . . .
Governor Gianforte Appoints Commissioner of Labor and Industry
August 10, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Sarah Swanson to lead the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “As a proven leader in both the private and . . .
DLI Data: As Pandemic Receded and Workers Return to Jobsites, Workplace Injuries Rise
December 19, 2022
HELENA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today the number of workplace deaths in Montana returned to the pre-pandemic mean. Montana experienced 40 fatal work-related injuries in 2021, . . .
Governor Gianforte Announces Another Record-Setting Jobs Report
December 16, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working in November hit a new all-time high, according to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the . . .
Montana’s Record Employment, Labor Force Growth Continues in September
October 21, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working and the size of the state’s workforce in September reached new all-time highs, according to data from the . . .
  Montana Post-Secondary Workforce Report Highlights Opportunities for Montana Workers
October 21, 2022
HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry this week released the 2022 Post-Secondary Workforce Report, which evaluates how the state’s workforce training systems provide a . . .
Montanans Impacted by Flooding in Yellowstone County May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
July 27, 2022
Helena, MT - The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today that workers in Yellowstone County impacted by June flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Disaster . . .
Gov. Gianforte Proclaims February Career and Technical Education Month
February 15, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Earlier this month, Gov. Gianforte proclaimed February 2022 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Montana to recognize the role of Career and Technical Education in empowering . . .
Gov. Gianforte Announces $6 Million Investment in Rapid Workforce Training
February 15, 2022
New program to train up to 5,000 new or upskilled employees to build Montana’s workforce over the next two years   HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced a $6 . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Releases “Status of the Nursing Workforce in Montana” Report
November 12, 2021
Report summarizes results from the National Council State Board of Nursing 2020 Survey HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the “2020 Status of the . . .
Montana Employers Recognized with 2021 Governor’s Achievement Awards
October 01, 2021
Awards recognize ongoing commitment to workplace safety across Montana MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today recognized employers who go above and beyond in their efforts to make their . . .
Montana's Labor Force, Total Employment Grow in June
July 16, 2021
MONTANA – Montana’s labor force grew by more than 2,000 workers in June, while total employment in the state grew by some 1,800 workers. “More and more Montanans are . . .
Circle, MT Student Awarded Montana State Employer Council Scholarship
July 14, 2021
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today announced the 2021 Montana State Employer Council . . .

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