Celebrate a $1.5 million grant to support connecting Montanans with education and employment opportunities.
BILLINGS, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today in Billings joined the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and the Montana Chamber of Commerce to announce a $1.5 million grant from Britebound to accelerate development of Montana’s Talent Marketplace, a statewide, AI-powered digital platform that will help students and job seekers explore education, training, or careers.
“Every Montanan should have a pathway to a career and a plan to achieve it,” Gov. 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, helping more Montanans connect with the skills, training, and opportunities to build a future right here at home.”
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Gov. Gianforte joined Britebound President and CEO Julie Lammers, DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson, Montana Chamber President and CEO Todd O’Hair, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Craig Barringer, and Dr. Clint Seger of Billings Clinic to announce the partnership and investment from the nonprofit. Funding will help connect existing technology platforms, expand available tools, strengthen secure education and workforce data connections, and bring career and training resources together within the Talent Marketplace.
Montana’s Talent Marketplace is being designed as a 24/7 digital portal to education, training and employment, extending career-planning resources into every corner of the state. AI-powered career-planning tools will help users understand how their skills and experience connect with career opportunities and identify additional training they may need. The platform will bring together information about credentials, dual enrollment, work-based learning, Registered Apprenticeships, and available careers.
The public-private partnership advances Governor Gianforte’s 406 JOBS initiative by bringing career exploration tools, education and training information, credentials and workforce data, and active employment opportunities together in a single, accessible, user-friendly experience. The investment will place particular emphasis on helping young Montanans see clear pathways from learning to earning, including students in rural and tribal communities.
“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, president and CEO of Britebound. “We’re proud to partner with Montana to make career-connected learning more accessible and help young people move confidently toward their futures.”
Students, families and job seekers will be able to compare education and training options, understand costs and potential earnings, and find resources to help them move forward. Employers will help inform these efforts, so career pathways reflect the skills businesses need and create stronger connections with emerging talent.
“Britebound is helping us connect young people with opportunity,” said Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Labor and Industry. “This partnership will help bring disconnected tools and information together so a student, a parent or a job seeker can answer a practical question: What is my next step? That is the promise of the Talent Marketplace – less time navigating a complicated system and more time moving toward a career.”
The Montana Chamber Foundation, an additional beneficiary of the grant, will bring its statewide business and education networks to the project. The Office of Public Instruction, Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and State Workforce Innovation Board will support the effort alongside employers, schools, and community partners.
“Montana employers have an important role in helping young people see the opportunities available in their communities and understand how to prepare for them,” said Todd O’Hair, president and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce. “Britebound’s investment will help us connect career exploration with real workforce needs and build stronger pathways between schools, training providers and employers.”
