Preparing Our Future Workforce!  American Jobs for America's Youth, Montana (AJAY MT)

Presentation Description:

In today’s shrinking labor market, now is the time for Montana’s employers to invest in our state’s future workforce (high school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates) and to provide them with opportunities to explore career interests, build their skillsets, and set them up for meaningful and successful careers in the Treasure State.

Gabrielle Eklund Rowley, Executive Director, American Jobs for America's Youth, Montana (AJAY MT), will provide an overview of AJAY MT’s mission to foster life and work skills in youth through collaboration among communities, schools, citizen mentors and employers.

​AJAY MT’s vision is for every high school junior, senior, and recent graduate to have access to mentoring and the opportunity to obtain internships and jobs with community employers in order to improve social skills, life skills, and employment prospects.

​​​​AJAY MT employs the following strategies to achieve its vision of all young Montanans having access meaningful work and professional support:

• connects mentors and students who will work together to nurture the student’s social and work skills, self-esteem, and work ethic;
•  collaborates with partners to provide students with meaningful early work opportunities;
• strengthen professional development opportunities for students in order to provide communities with a sustainable pipeline of valuable employees;
• engage communities to expand opportunities for youth; and
• builds capacity in schools and communities to educate, support, and mentor young Montanans.

AJAY MT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that collaborates with Montana communities and a network of statewide change leaders working to improve the lives of current and future generations of Montana's youth.

About Our Presenter:

Gabrielle was raised on a wheat farm in central Montana. After she earned a B.A. from Tufts University, she worked for fifteen years in nonprofit organizations (from Alaska to the Mid-Atlantic) focused on experiential education, leadership development, and college access. She earned her MPA from the University of Montana, with a focus in nonprofit administration. She is particularly interested in youth development and working to help individuals and communities thrive. Currently living in Helena, Gabe stays busy raising two young children and enjoys playing outside in all seasons.

​You can contact her at gerowley@americanjobs4youth.org or 406-490-4954.