A new effort by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry is bringing workforce resources directly to Mineral County, giving residents, employers and community organizations a chance to discover services designed to strengthen the local economy and help people build careers close to home.

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the DLI in partnership with Mineral Community Hospital, will host a Community Resource Event on the grassy area next to TrailWest Bank in Superior on River Street. The free event is intended to connect businesses with potential employees, introduce residents to workforce programs and career opportunities, and showcase the many organizations working to support western Montana communities.

The event grew out of conversations between DLI's Workforce Engagement Team and representatives from Job Service Missoula, who met to discuss workforce needs across Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral counties. While the discussions covered the region as a whole, one message stood out clearly and that is, Mineral County would benefit from a stronger Department of Labor & Industry presence.

That realization sparked the idea of creating a community resource event where local residents, employers, nonprofit organizations and service providers could gather under one roof, or in this case, under the summer sky, to learn what resources are already available and how they can work together to strengthen the local workforce.

"In many states, workforce efforts naturally gravitate toward the largest cities and most densely populated regions," said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of Labor & Industry. "But Montana's strength is also in our small towns and rural communities. We want Montanans to be able to stay in the communities they love, build their careers close to home, and know that the workforce system is showing up for them wherever they live."

After the initial planning discussions, DLI reached out to Laurel Chambers Haskins, CEO of Mineral Community Hospital, who immediately saw the value the event could bring to the community. 

"Janelle (Kimberlin, Engagement Strategist) swung by the hospital a month or so ago and asked if I thought our community would be interested in learning about offerings available through the Department of Labor, Job Service and state RHTP funds," Chambers Haskins said. "I think lots of individuals and businesses could be excited to learn about opportunities available for training and advancement opportunities for employees." 

The hospital quickly signed on as a partner, with Chambers Haskins helping promote the event throughout the community. 

"We will definitely be attending to learn what is available for hospital employees and encouraging our employees to attend," she said. "It is a great opportunity to have multiple agencies in one spot."

Organizers hope the event will become much more than a job fair. Along with employers looking to fill positions, attendees will be able to meet representatives from Job Service Missoula, Montana Registered Apprenticeship, Career Development Specialists, the Workforce

Engagement Team and Jobs for Montana's Graduates. Resource providers will also be available to explain programs, answer questions and connect residents with training, education and employment opportunities.

Businesses are encouraged to reserve a table to introduce themselves to the community, recruit employees and highlight the services they provide. Community organizations are also invited to participate and share information about programs available throughout Mineral County. 

Nonprofit organizers are strongly encouraged to participate to showcase their services and who benefits from them and this is a prime time to recruit new blood to help with the volunteerism that every organization is desperately in need of. 

For residents, the event offers a convenient opportunity to explore job openings, learn about career training, discover workforce resources and connect with organizations that can assist with employment and professional development. For the new locals in the community, this is a one-stop-shopping event to have a crash course on learning who your new neighbors are.

By bringing state agencies, local employers and community organizations together in one location, organizers hope to strengthen relationships, increase awareness of available services and create new opportunities for Mineral County residents. Businesses and resource providers interested in participating may reserve a table by contacting Janelle Kimberlin at [email protected].