The Workforce Expo shows career opportunities for hi-line students

The first workforce from the state workforce in a tribal reserve took place on Wednesday. The cooperation between the Indian municipality of Fort Belknap and the Montana Ministry of Labor and Industry is an attempt to expand career opportunities for rural young people.

From 8 a.m., more than 600 students from the HI-Line schools arrived in the event hall in the Fort Belknap community.

Inside, around 50 local companies from more than a dozen industries were waiting to welcome them. Prepared with practical activities and demonstrations, they hoped to encourage the students to explore career paths outside of university formation.

“I saw a few drones, I saw a hologram, a type used VR, you could even get into one of these cranes out here and be lifted over the entire exhibition,” said David Morsette, in the second year in Box Elder High School. “It's pretty cool here.”

The 2025 Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo was the first of her kind. Nancy Bouthie, director of the tribal labor law office of Fort Belknap, said the event was in preparation for almost a year.

“If we have a student who has an interest or find an interest in something, this whole exhibition was a success, all our efforts, our budgeting, everything, everything was a success, ”she said.

Bushie said the goals of the Expo were twice: First, to show students that there are viable non -academic career paths; Second, to build up an employment population that could help close gaps in commercial workplaces.

Many trading industries are exposed to work cart an aging workforce. The work needs in tribal communities are often even greater than elsewhere in the state. Experience in Montana experience reserves according to government data Higher unemployment ratesT and people stay unemployed longer.

Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, says in a university program after graduation. For local adolescents, this number drops to 18 percent.

“This is what this event is about to see an opportunity for young people here to see all opportunities here in their back yard in a way that they may not have thought of,” said Swanson.

The students in grades 7 to 12 were filtered through the Expo all day. Outside, Food Trucks offered lunch and snacks.

State universities and universities also took part in the event. Fort Belknap's Aaniiih Nakoda College had several tables in which students presented job opportunities.

Teri Harper is the coordinator of the Buffalo Research and Education Center.

“We offer juniors and seniors the opportunity to come in summer, to experience something about the ecosystem, the wildlife and the importance and to become an intern by receiving college credit, ”she said.

The college sits in the heart of Blaine County. Fifteen percent of the total income from the district comes from the federal government, according to Bozeman -based headwater economics and the Montana nonprofit association. The organizers said that they did not feel any direct effects of the federal leases, but the time of Expo is suitable.

“Good luck,” said Don Wetzel Jr., the Ministry of Labor and Industry for Labor and Industry, “the world will go when the world is going and you have to ride it somehow.”

At the end of the day, Wetzel said that the most important thing is to help Montana's young people find their unique paths.

“As long as we set up our youth for opportunities in a career, a purpose that you work hard, take care of your families, this kind of things, we are doing something good, ”he said.