"A win-win opportunity for Mission Valley Power to evaluate them for employment and for the worker to learn and explore the industry,” is how Local 768 business manager George Bland describes what is shaping up to be an exciting and fulfilling opportunity for members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana’s Flathead Reservation.
Mission Valley Power, in coordination with the tribes’ Department of Human Resources Development, is offering tribal members the opportunity to train as groundhands in a variety of utility jobs such as lineworkers, operators, substation techs and tree trimmers. The year-long pilot project is federally funded and, upon completion, the inaugural class of eight will have the opportunity to apprentice for full-time employment and join Local 768 as union members. The trainees will also receive an introduction to IBEW membership.
Since July 2024, trainees have been cutting and hauling brush, trimming trees, loading trucks and fire-wrapping poles, all under the watchful eyes and mentorship of veteran lineworkers, substation techs and tree-trimming crews. Trainees will also receive their commercial driver’s licenses and learn “soft skills” such as time management and communication.
“The goal is to be a well-trained individual capable of obtaining unsubsidized employment in the utility industry,” said Zachary Conko Camel, who previously worked for the tribes and now serves as general manager for Mission Valley Power.
The utility is responsible for a whopping 1.2 million acres, including more than 40,000 utility poles, so training and maintaining a dependable workforce is of upmost importance to Bland and Tribal leaders.
“We look forward to them signing our books and receiving credit for their time as groundmen. Thanks to the program, they’ll know what kind of work they’re getting into and hopefully stick around and advance their careers,” Bland said.
The program may be the first of its kind, but its initial success has already sparked talk of renewal from Bland.
“As long as the funding is available, we see this as an excellent opportunity for the next generation of tribal members,” he said.
