Billings, Montana – New summer work options in Yellowstone County are on the horizon for Billings teenagers. Following its initial success in Helena, the program has now moved eastward.
“It’s a really great opportunity for Yellowstone County businesses in expanding their workforce and dipping into their younger pool,” said Big Sky Economic Development Association director of marketing and BillingsWorks, Marcell Bruski.
The program’s goal is to connect students with companies that are looking for full-time or part-time employees. Students will also be supervised by someone from the company with whom they have been connected.
Yellowstone County Summer Jobs is collaborating with Billings School District 2 on this project.
“This is an opportunity for us to introduce students to maybe some jobs and industries and careers that maybe they haven’t had in the past,” said Bo Bruinsman, career outreach director of Billings Public Schools.
Many Billings firms are experiencing difficulties recruiting and keeping qualified staff members. The Big Sky EDA thinks this program could be a solution, a possible employee pipeline that could lead to long-term jobs.
“I think this is a, not a short-term fix, maybe long-term fix, to get students more exposed to career opportunities so that we can help them develop pathways,” Bruski said.
So far, ten Billings companies, including Stockman Bank, have signed up to be a part of the Yellowstone County Summer Jobs program.
Currently, Ashley Glantz works as a recruitment officer for Stockman Bank. She claims that students who are matched with the company will have the opportunity to work with some of the state’s most successful bankers.
“I think a lot of the time will be spent behind the teller line, learning about fraud, transactions, counting money back to customers, customer service,” Glantz said.
Students who go to school outside of Billings Public Schools are welcome to join the program.
“It’s an opportunity available to the private school, students in the community, as well as our county schools,” said Bruinsma.
Applications for the program will be accepted starting on Tuesday. The participants want to match at least 30 students with at least 30 companies for the summer.
Teens can apply for a summer job position at Yellowstone County Summer Jobs Program | AJAY MT (americanjobs4youth.org).
