Department of Labor and Industry Announces Montana’s First Formally Recognized Pre-apprenticeship Training Program

Today the Apprenticeship and Training Program of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry along with, Passages Culinary Arts Program, and the Department of Corrections announced the State’s first formally recognized Pre-apprenticeship and Training program.

The newly established Culinary Arts pre-apprenticeship program is designed to provide skills training in the culinary arts to 10 to 15 individuals currently working in the Passages facility preparing 1,000 meals daily. "This training program will give participants the skills to re-enter society with the ability to secure meaningful employment in a wide array of venues within the Culinary Arts Field," said Culinary Arts Program Manager, Carlee Johnson.

The pre-apprenticeship program has specific requirements which must be met in order for its participants to receive a completion certification: they must accrue a minimum of 2,000 hours of hands-on-training in multiple experience areas of the industry and complete 280 hours of related coursework study related to the occupation. "The major advantage of this partnership is that we are utilizing existing training in culinary arts for the pre-apprenticeship program," said Apprenticeship and Training State Director Mark Maki.

The intent of the program is to provide a career lattice and possible transferable credit for those wishing to further their skills training through various registered apprenticeship training programs or a vocational training facility when the re-enter the world of work.

For more information on apprenticeship and training you can visit the programs website at http://exploreapprenticeship.mt.gov or by calling 406-444-3998.