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"Not many programs like this are set up so a student gets
paid to do an internship while completing their training.
ese students will," noted Gibbs. "When a student
completes this certificate, they will have a one-year general
certificate. I've already had 50-60 people contact me wanting
more information."
Gibbs applied for a Montana meat processing infrastructure
grant through the State of Montana. Two million dollars
in total funding is available to applicants, with a maximum
award of $150,000 from federal COVID relief funds. Gibbs
will know if they receive the funding by late July.
When I interviewed Gibbs, I was in the truck with Logan
Mannix at one of his stops in Seeley Lake. As he listened in
on the plans for the program on the speaker phone, he said,
"Tell her the rancher in the truck with you is grateful for
what she's doing."
When I asked Engle what he sees in the future for meat
processing in Montana, he told me that he is currently booked
out till May of 2021, with the days filling up quickly.
"I'm excited about the possibility of new, skilled employees
for ourselves and other shops around the state. I think the
demand will stick with us here and there are nothing but
opportunities moving forward."
An employee weighs bacon for packaging at Pioneers Meats.
Engle is currently booked out until May 2021. He is looking
forward to skilled labor coming out of the new program at Miles
Community College. He doesn't see demand for local meat
decreasing anytime soon.
