After the shock closure of two significant lumber plants in Montana, the federal government has approved $2 million in funding to keep displaced workers in the state workforce.
$2 Million for Displaced Workers
The US Department of Labor will provide $2 million in federal funding to help retrain and re-employ lumber workers in Western Montana after two major lumber mills closed down in the region.
Shared by Montana Governor
The news was shared in a joint announcement by Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.
More Resources for Workers
“Thanks to the work of Commissioner Swanson and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, our lumber industry professionals facing unemployment due to recent mill closures will have more resources to get back on their feet and in a career,” Gianforte said.
Supporting People and Industry
“Our administration will continue to secure support for Montanans and industries in need,” he added.
Concerning News
Lumber workers in Montana were left shaken by the news that two significant wood product plants would be closing down this year, both located in the county seat of Missoula.
50 Years of Business Ending
The first was a particleboard plant owned by Roseburg Forest Products, which closed down in March due to difficulties competing with more modern operations after more than 50 years in business.
No Longer Competitive?
“Unfortunately, Missoula’s older platform and technology is simply not competitive from a cost structure perspective in a marketplace with many new, modern particleboard facilities,” said Stuart Gray, president and CEO of Roseburg.
Local Institution Closing
The second was Pyramid Mountain Lumber, which announced its closure last week. The lumber mill has been operating in Missoula County since the 1950s and will be auctioned off in August.
Hundreds of Workers Displaced
These closures have left hundreds of lumber workers in Missoula out of work. It is especially concerning for older workers who have fewer job prospects than their younger counterparts. According to the Woodworking Network, 40% of the Pyramid Mountain Lumber workforce is 58 years or older.
Funding Sorely Needed
It is clear that the federal funding injection announced by Gov. Gianforte is much needed. That $2 million package will be used to directly benefit the laid-off workers at Roseburg and Pyramid.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
The fund will be administered by the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. It is part of a wider National Dislocated Worker Grant established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.
Providing Industry-Recognized Qualifications
Funding will go toward finding training opportunities that will best fit individual workers, and provide certifications that will be recognized across the lumber and woodworking industry.
A Loss Felt Across the State
“For over a century, the timber industry has been an integral part of the Montana economy, and the loss of these companies is felt across our state,” said Montana Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson following the announcement.
Helping Every Impacted Worker
“Empowering Montanans through work and opportunity is our work at DLI, and with these funds, we will help every impacted worker in the region leverage their Montana work ethic, skill up, and reenter the workforce in high-wage, high-skilled jobs,” she continued.
$800,000 Incoming
According to Swanson, the first $800,000 of the grant funding is already on the way to the state. This first round will be used to help 250 of the impacted workers train, retrain, and upskill before pursuing further employment.
Starting At Local Job Service
She went into detail about how the process would work for all 250 workers. It will start with a meeting at their local job service, where their skill set and skill levels will be assessed.
Skill Assessment
The job service will then help them find relevant training courses, and the grant will also help to fund their training to completion.
Several Options Available
Training programs and courses could include regular training programs at a community college or tribal college, registered apprenticeships, or a position at a joint apprenticeship training center.
Help With Broader Skills
Displaced workers will also be assisted with resume writing, interview preparation, and other processes that will be essential in helping them find new employment in the state.
Relevant Areas
The grant money and programs will be open to relevant training and job service organizations in Missoula, Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Powell, and Sanders counties, and on the Blackfeet and Flathead reservations.
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