The Job Service: a resource for businesses and job seekers

The Kootenai Job Service in Libby can assist in solving some of the issues and concerns job seekers and employers face.

In a county that faces some of the highest unemployment rates in Montana, new mining-employment prospects looming on the horizon have many job-seekers facing anxiety and anticipation, wondering what steps to take to secure a career.

The Job Service can help and registering with them is the first step.

As a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor and Industry, the Job Service works to provide programs and opportunities for job seekers, businesses, students, the workforce, economic development partners and the general public.

“We are very proud of our job services in Montana,” Jake Troyer, communications manager for the Montana Department of Labor, said.

Generally, the Job Service assists job seekers in filing unemployment claims, writing and formatting resumes, organizing mock interviews, exploring occupations and finding eligible training providers.

“We provide a lot of services for employers that not everyone is aware of,” Watkins said.

For employers, the Job Service offers an array of opportunities and tools to better the understanding of the labor market. Their vision is to make sure employers have a skilled and ready workforce that meets their needs.

In Lincoln County especially, many employers feel they need to recruit employees from outside of the region because of the belief that few local residents have the qualifications. On the other hand, job seekers may be hesitant to further their education because they are worried that they won’t be able to pay for student loans because of the scarcity of jobs. This can make job seekers feel hopeless.

“Employers believe that there’s a mismatch of skills,” Watkins said. “We have a lot of openings in the medical field but we don’t have many people with those requirements.”

Yet in Libby itself, the Job Service can help job seekers find training programs, and sign them up with the Montana Registered Apprenticeship program, which connects job seekers with paid, on-the-job training with little to no debt upon completion. The benefits for the employer are increased worker productivity, a pipeline for new workers with relevant skills, greater worker retention with reduced turnover and reduced workers’ compensation costs.

They can also provide incumbent-worker training to qualified businesses in the community for permanent employees who have completed their probationary period and average 20 hours a week.

Students may also benefit from the Job Service, with the career resource programs that help map-out a student’s career path.

The Job Service can also help some eligible students qualify for tuition help although the eligibility requirements are long, Watkins said.

The Job Service has also been known to organize job fairs at the Flathead Valley Community College in Libby.

The Job Service also works closely with veterans and their families. Veterans receive priority for service. Anyone who’s served at least one day in the National Guard or Reserve, who has been called to active duty and not dishonorably discharged or has a qualifying spouse, will receive priority service. Veterans may also benefit from additional services and be given preference in employment training and placement services.

When there’s a concern within the workplace, such as a safety violation or harassment, the Job Service can help file a complaint with the Human Rights Bureau.

While they have active online social network pages, such as Facebook and Twitter, and a website, Watkins said the office, located at 417 Mineral Ave., is there for people to stop by and gain more personal assistance.

“We highly encourage people to come in and have a face-to-face interview with one of our staff,” Watkins said. “We’ll help them identify what skills they have and what type of jobs those skills translate to.”