MSU Billings College of Business develops new package of entrepreneurship and managerial development courses
Contacts
Dan Carter, MSU Billings Communications, 406-657-2243 | 406-413-8924 (cell)
Cait Kirby, College of Business, 406-657-2326
Lorene Hintz, Small Business Development Center, 406-869-8404
MSU BILLINGS NEWS – Billings-area businesses and entrepreneurial-minded workers can boost their skills this fall thanks to a unique program at the Montana State University Billings with support from Big Sky Economic Development’s Small Business Development Center.
The MSU Billings College of Business will be offering a three-unit program to support employers and business owners. Each unit has eight sessions, delivered on Tuesday evenings starting this fall. The units touch on starting a business, working out business details and then moving a business forward.
Free informational sessions will be held on Tuesday, July 22 and Tuesday Aug. 5 at 5:30 p.m. each day for anyone wanting to find out more about the program and get assistance in signing up. Both sessions will be in the College of Education, room 291.
The 24 sessions, delivered by MSU Billings faculty, will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday starting Sept. 23 at the MSU Billings campus. The fall sessions will be followed up by units in January/February 2026 and March/April 2026. The program cohort will be capped at 30 people. Focus areas include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing
- Maintaining success by managing
- Essentials of bookkeeping
- Supply chain management
- Accounting
- Human resources
- Fundamentals of building business plans
- Strategic planning
- Principles of purchasing and sourcing
- Payroll taxes and workers’ compensation
- Employee retention and motivation strategies
College of Business Dean Dr. Susan Gilbertz said workers taking the program will benefit by being in a cohort where they can tap into each other’s experiences and knowledge while also learning to take the next steps at their businesses. Those who successfully complete the program – including the homework – will earn a Certificate of Completion from MSU Billings. But participants will also position themselves to take the next steps for their businesses or their futures.
“Those who complete the program can benefit from instructors who are currently working at MSUB in the College of Business or at City College,” she said. “They are renowned in their fields and have both academic and real-world business experiences.”
The cost for the three-unit program is $2,400.
If businesses don’t have their own training budgets, there is a state program that may be able to help.
Through the Montana Department of Labor & Industry’s Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) program, grants can be awarded to companies that are seeking to invest in skills-based training for existing workers. Under the program, businesses must demonstrate that training will increase the worker’s skill level, result in a promotion or wage gain, or expand their business market/increase business revenue with the intent of preserving existing jobs.
“This is a win for Montana businesses and workers alike,” said Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. “By aligning our grant funding with high-quality, locally delivered training, we’re helping employers strengthen their teams, increase competitiveness, and retain Montana talent — all without adding red tape. Programs like this move our economy forward one skilled worker at a time.”
There is $540,000 available this fiscal year for new grants. Applications are open now and can provide up to $2,500 per full-time employee and $1,000 per part-time employee. The grant can also pay for some travel costs. Businesses can start applying now and use the Incumbent Worker Training program website to find out more.
Lorene Hintz at the Small Business Development Center at Big Sky Economic Development, is available to assist businesses who need help applying for grants. The assistance is part of the BSED mission to sustain and grow the region’s economy by providing resources when they are needed.
“This MSUB business program is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs to build their business skills while connecting with highly qualified professors to do so,” Hintz said. “The IWT training grant helps businesses provide valuable training for their employees that might otherwise be out of reach. The SBDC is always happy to assist in business education and growth in our community.”
Hintz can be reached at 406-869-8404 or at lorene@bigskyeda.org.
For general information on the entrepreneurship and management development units, contact Cait Kirby at MSU Billings at 406-657-2326 or cait.kirby@msubillings.edu.