Gov. Gianforte Highlights Early Childhood Apprenticeship Opportunities in Great Falls

Visits Play N' Learn Academy, proclaims Apprenticeship Week in Montana

Governor's Office

GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte recently visited Play N' Learn Academy in Great Falls to highlight workforce training opportunities available through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI) Registered Apprenticeship Program.

"Education and childcare are essential to Montana's economy, allowing parents to work, support local businesses, and keep our communities strong," Gov. Gianforte said. "Through Montana's Registered Apprenticeship Program, we can help ensure a reliable, well-trained workforce in early learning and other critical industries."

Gov. Gianforte visiting with apprentices at Play N' Learn Academy in Great Falls

According to DLI, for more than two decades, the Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship (MECA) program has served as a pathway for training professional childcare workers across the state. Since 2000, more than 190 apprentices have completed the program, and today, 35 active apprentices are working in 15 childcare facilities across Montana. Play N' Learn Academy in Great Falls has five registered apprentices.

Visiting with apprentices at the day care, the governor and DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson recognized the need for more childcare workers to support a growing workforce.

"Childcare jobs are among the fastest growing, yet wages often lag behind the state average, underscoring why workforce development and career pathways matter more than ever," DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson said. "Working together with Governor Gianforte, we're close the gap for these industries and helping them create long term employment for Montanans."

"Having the ability to train apprentices, most of whom are from the Great Falls area, is having a real impact in our community," Raegen Breeden, owner and Director of Play N' Learn Academy said. "I want to thank Governor Gianforte for all of his work investing in our communities to support industries that need it."

"The apprentice program helped me become a better teacher for my students here at Play N' Learn. It also helped me grow as a student while I go to college to earn my degree in early childhood education," said Lanelle Thurston, a graduating apprentice from Play N' Learn.

The governor this week recognized April 26 to May 2 as Apprenticeship Week in Montana, in line with the National Apprenticeship Week. According to an annual report on the Registered Apprenticeship Program released by DLI, Montana has seen a 33 percent increase in the number of businesses offering apprenticeships and more than 900 apprenticeship opportunities added each year on average.

Supporting long-term workforce stability is a top priority for Gov. Gianforte. Through the 406 JOBS initiative, DLI is working to align education, workforce, and industry to ensure every Montanan has access to one of four pathways: direct-to-career pathways like Registered Apprenticeship, college, entrepreneurship, or military service.

To read the governor's proclamation, see here . To read the annual report on the Registered Apprenticeship Program, see here .

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