A lack of access to affordable childcare, chronic illness or disability and criminal justice history are some of the barriers that are keeping an estimated 100,000 Montanans aged 16 to 54 out of work.

That's according to a recent study published by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, which showed that there is a severe labor shortage for open jobs in the state as tens of thousands of people are not working.

The department's commissioner, Sarah Swanson, said the goal of the study was to try highlight ways to reconnect those people with meaningful work.

“Montana’s economy continues to be strong, with June marking the ninth straight month of unemployment rates under 3%,” she said. “With nearly two jobs available for every one worker, Montana has an opportunity to increase parti

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