Andrew Johnson turns his own employment challenges into practical support for job seekers and local employers
For Andrew Johnson, Electric City Opportunities is more than a business. It is the result of his own long and often difficult journey through the workforce.
“Electric City Opportunities is a culmination of my 15-year struggle with employment,” Johnson said. “I saw that services existed for me, but they weren’t really getting the results. I want to get results, because I think work is a critical, vital thing that everyone needs.”
Today, Johnson works as a community rehabilitation provider through Montana Vocational Rehabilitation. He helps individuals prepare for employment, connect with businesses and develop the skills needed to remain successful after they are hired.
His services include job coaching, job development, résumé assistance, interview preparation and ongoing workplace support.
Building Skills One Person at a Time
Much of Johnson’s current work is conducted one-on-one through Montana Vocational Rehabilitation. However, he is also working to make his services more accessible to people who may not qualify for state-funded programs or who cannot afford to wait through a lengthy referral process.
One of the ways he hopes to accomplish that is through a multiweek employment-readiness course.
The course is designed with recent graduates in mind, but Johnson emphasized that it is open to anyone who wants to enter the workforce, change careers or pursue a new opportunity.
“That’s what’s cool about work,” he said. “It’s never too late to do something else.”
The course begins with goal-setting and helping participants identify realistic steps toward the kind of work they want to pursue.
From there, participants learn how to write and improve their résumés, understand what employers are looking for and communicate their experience more effectively.
The course also focuses heavily on soft skills.
“People don’t know how to talk to each other anymore,” Johnson said.
Communication, reliability, professional conduct and the ability to work with others can be just as important as technical skills. Johnson wants participants to understand how those everyday interactions can affect their ability to find and keep a job.
Later sessions focus on interview preparation, meeting employers and building professional relationships. Johnson’s goal is to eventually put participants in front of real business owners and hiring managers so they can practice those conversations in a realistic setting.
Connecting Job Seekers With Employers
Johnson has developed relationships with employers throughout Great Falls and Helena. Those relationships allow him to better understand what businesses need while also helping job seekers identify opportunities that may fit their abilities.
The businesses he works with are not limited to one industry.
He connects with employers in retail, grocery stores, restaurants, shipping, entertainment and other sectors throughout the community.
“Everywhere there is a need, that’s where I want to be,” he said.
For employers, Electric City Opportunities can serve as a bridge between hiring someone and helping that person become a productive, confident member of the team.
Johnson said employee training and retention are significant concerns for many businesses. A skilled job coach can reduce some of that pressure by providing additional support during the onboarding and training process.
In some cases, Johnson may work directly beside an employee. That could mean helping in a restaurant kitchen, walking through a retail environment or observing an employee’s daily routine to identify areas where additional coaching may be helpful.
The goal is not to interfere with the employer’s operation. It is to work as part of the team while respecting the boundaries and expectations of the workplace.
“It’s mostly just a conversation,” Johnson said. “You have to decide how to be a team player.”
Supporting Employees After the Hire
Electric City Opportunities does not simply help someone submit an application and then walk away.
Once an individual is hired, Johnson may continue working with both the employee and the employer to help make the transition successful.
That support can include reinforcing workplace expectations, helping employees understand their duties, improving communication and addressing challenges before they become larger problems.
Johnson described one situation in Helena where he assisted a business owner with onboarding a new employee. The employee received several weeks of training support before transitioning into the position more independently.
For the employer, that additional coaching can provide time, structure and assistance that may not otherwise be available.
For the employee, it offers someone in their corner as they become comfortable with the job.
Johnson believes successful employment requires cooperation between everyone involved.
The employee must be willing to learn. The employer must communicate expectations. The job coach helps connect those two sides and keeps the process moving forward.
Removing Barriers to Employment
Johnson also recognizes that preparing someone for work involves more than creating a résumé.
A person may be ready and willing to work but still lack basic items needed to confidently attend an interview or begin a new job.
To help address those barriers, Johnson worked with Matthew Pippinich to create a local mutual-aid resource.
Items are offered free to people who need them. Those who can donate are encouraged to contribute, but receiving assistance is not dependent upon giving something in return.
Johnson said the idea began with a simple question: What does someone need to be ready for work?
The answer often includes basic hygiene products and everyday essentials such as bottled water, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap.
The resource is not intended to replace other community organizations. Johnson views his role as helping people find the right support.
When someone needs clothing, housing assistance, food, childcare or another service outside his area of expertise, he can help connect them with organizations that may be able to assist.
In that way, Electric City Opportunities also functions as a community connector.
Watch our interview below and hear Andrew’s passion:
Making Time for Conversations
Johnson is frequently seen walking through Great Falls, introducing himself to business owners and developing relationships with employers.
He believes those face-to-face conversations matter.
Rather than waiting for businesses to find him, he visits employers, explains what he does and learns more about their workforce needs.
He brings the same approach to people looking for assistance.
Johnson said that when someone sees him in the community, they are welcome to stop him and start a conversation.
“I’m never that busy, though I’m pretty busy,” he joked. “I welcome anybody to have a chat, and we’ll figure out what the best path forward is.”
That willingness to make time for people is central to the work of Electric City Opportunities.
A short conversation may lead someone to a job opportunity, connect a business with a potential employee or help a person find a resource they did not know was available.
Helping Great Falls Grow Locally
Johnson is optimistic about the future of Great Falls. As the community grows and changes, he wants Electric City Opportunities to help ensure local people and local businesses grow together.
He believes Great Falls can expand without losing the qualities that make the community unique.
“We can be that change and keep stuff local as Great Falls grows,” Johnson said. “We aren’t going to be like these other cities. We’re going to be our own thing, and that’s what’s special.”
Electric City Opportunities represents a practical approach to workforce development—one relationship, one employee and one employer at a time.
For job seekers, it offers guidance, preparation and encouragement.
For employers, it provides an additional resource for recruiting, onboarding and supporting employees.
Most importantly, it helps create opportunities for people who may simply need someone willing to walk beside them as they take their next step.
Employers interested in learning more about job coaching, workforce support or connecting with potential employees can reach out directly to Andrew Johnson and Electric City Opportunities.
