KBZK: Sen. Tester kicks off Blue Collar Jobs tour in Butte

BUTTE – Sen. Jon Tester stopped in Butte Monday to kick off what he’s calling a Blue Collar Jobs Tour.

Tester met with labor and education officials Monday afternoon at the Plumber and Pipefitters Union Hall, to hear ways to spur more good-paying blue collar jobs by encouraging more trade programs to encourage high school graduates to learn skilled labor trades.

“Encourage partnerships, I think it’s really important whether you’re talking partnerships with business or partnerships with the unions, really important. Because once these kids get the experience to move into the workforce, chances are they’ll have a job for the rest of their life,” Tester said.

Sen. Tester will hold another roundtable discussion this Thursday afternoon in Helena at the Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee Center beginning at 1:15 p.m.