Audit disputes spending for job retraining in Montana

A recent federal audit of how job retraining money for laid-off workers is spent in Montana "raises serious questions over who’s watching the store and how the dollars are being spent," state Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly said Monday.

"It’s quite serious, and it raises a lot of questions to the lay reader where the money goes and to what programs," he said.

Bitter rivalry

The federal money in question went to the Montana Job Training Partnership Inc., or MJTP, a nonprofit Helena-based group that administers federal job training grants under the direction of two boards. MJTP, in turn, awarded some money to the Montana AFL-CIO for its "Project Challenge: Work Again" program to retrain workers. There has been a historic and bitter rivalry over these programs between MJTP and the state Labor Department, which also does job retraining through its Job Service offices.

"Overall, we found an absence of clearly divided policies, roles and responsibilities between the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and MJTP, which has resulted in a weakened delivery system and services for the state of Montana," the audit said.

The federal audit criticized the MJTP for its consultant procurement policies and subcontracting and some lack of financial controls.

Sue Mohr, MJTP executive director, defended her agency’s operation and handling of the money.

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/08/30/build/state/35-audit.inc