Bo Bruinsma
Billings,MT
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Career Outreach Director
Billings Public Schools
Billings, MT
08.2019 - Current
- Oversaw workforce development programs for Billings Public Schools, enhancing student career readiness and job opportunities.
- Led a high-performing team of five career coaches across multiple schools, serving approximately 9,000 students.
- Developed strong partnerships with city leaders and business professionals, increasing engagement from 75 to over 400 partners in six years.
- Managed division finances by overseeing a $100,000 annual budget and financial reporting for a $500,000+ state grant.
- Collaborated with local leadership and policymakers to present workforce initiatives, influencing participation and funding decisions.
- Directed Future Ready initiative, providing students with career awareness, exploration, and work-based learning experiences.
- Co-developed and operated Build Montana, an award-winning youth workforce program introducing students to commercial construction careers.
- Co-created and managed Yellowstone County Summer Jobs Program, offering paid employment and skills training for youth aged 16-19.
Equity Coordinator
Montana Department Of Labor And Industry
Billings, MT
10.2017 - 08.2025
- Oversaw Tribal College Apprenticeship subgrant to enhance workforce access for indigenous communities in Montana.
- Partnered with businesses and five tribal colleges to establish pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for Native American students.
- Ensured accurate tracking of grant activities and financials to maintain funding eligibility.
- Collaborated with organizations supporting underrepresented groups to create pathways into registered apprenticeship programs.
Registered Apprenticeship Specialist
Montana Department Of Labor And Industry
Billings, MT
12.2015 - 10.2017
- Managed and expanded 70 registered apprenticeship programs, supervising over 200 apprentices in East-Central Montana.
- Collaborated with Healthcare Apprenticeship Work Group to establish healthcare apprenticeships, increasing from zero to over 50 programs.
- Supported 300 apprentices across 28 healthcare occupations during three-year grant period.
Education
Master of Public Administration - Public & Non-Profit Administration
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD05-2017
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD05-2013
Skills
- Workforce Development
- Community Development
- Education & Training
- Financial Management
- Project Management
- Grant Management
- Outreach Marketing
- Event Planning & Execution
Accomplishments
- Eastern Montana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Advisory Board Member (2017-Present) - Eastern Montana AHEC at RiverStone Health is a part of an innovative network created to recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals by getting high school and college students interest in health careers.
- Home Builders Association (HBA) of Billings - Building Visions Board Member (2024-Present) - Building Visions is the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Billings, formed to strengthen our ability to more broadly serve our industry's needs in Workforce Development through education, training, and career pathways.
- Billings NextGEN Co-Chair and Leadership Team Member (2022-Present) - "Billings NextGEN network (powered by the Billings Chamber of Commerce) exists to foster relationships among young professionals age 21 to 39, to develop business opportunities, support civic involvement, and promote an overall investment in the future of our community."
- State Workforce Innovation Board (SWIB) Member (2022-Present) - "The purpose of SWIB is to advise the Governor on statewide workforce development strategies that maximize the state’s education, training, and employment resources in support of economic development."
- Billings NextGEN Exceptional Emerging Leader Award Winner (2023) - "Awarded by the Billings Chamber of Commerce to a Billings area young professional who demonstrates strong leadership, a sincere interest in peer development, excellence in professional, philanthropic and/or community investment, and ultimately inspires other young professionals to succeed."
- Lester J. Heath Award Winner (2023) - "Awarded by the Associated Equipment Dealers Foundation, the Lester J. Heath Award is given to an individual or group demonstrating outstanding contributions to training, accreditation, and workforce development."
Certification
- Certificate of Mentoring, Coaching, and Leadership Development (Grandview University, 2025)
Timeline
Career Outreach Director
Billings Public Schools
08.2019 - Current
Equity Coordinator
Montana Department Of Labor And Industry
10.2017 - 08.2025
Registered Apprenticeship Specialist
Montana Department Of Labor And Industry
12.2015 - 10.2017
Master of Public Administration - Public & Non-Profit Administration
University of South Dakota
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of South Dakota
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