STATE PROVIDES PLENTY OF SOLUTIONS FOR FINDING AND TRAINING TALENT.
In North Dakota, there is plenty opportunity for work and prosperity. Supported by steady activity in the energy, natural gas, mining and agricultural industries, the Peace Garden State is doing the work in attracting and retaining talent in the face of a national worker shortage.
One example is the Technical Skills Training Grant, launched in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support new and expanding non-degree, accelerated training programs for displaced workers by offsetting the cost for North Dakotan program providers and employers investing in highly trained, skilled workers needed in the labor market.
Since 2020, state legislative assemblies have awarded $6 million in total funding to the grant program.
“North Dakota offers several strong tools to help employers build and retain the talent they need,” says Katie Ralston Howe, Deputy Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce. “Programs like the Technical Skills Training Grant and Operation Intern provide flexible ways for businesses to accelerate training, expand hands‑on learning, and strengthen internal upskilling efforts. To date, nearly 5,000 individuals have completed training through these programs. These resources help employers respond to immediate workforce needs while also developing long‑term talent pipelines.”
“New residents are drawn to the state because they can build both a career and a life here. Many people come for job opportunities, affordability and the welcoming nature of our communities. Our statewide recruitment efforts help connect individuals who are considering a move with employers and community leaders who can support their transition.”
— Katie Ralston Howe, Deputy Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Commerce
Operation Intern aids North Dakota businesses wanting to operate internships and apprenticeships, offering matching funding in the targeted industries of energy, advanced manufacturing, value-added agriculture, tourism, technology-based businesses and more. Wages, tools and equipment, training needs and tuition reimbursement are all eligible expenses under Operation Intern’s funding.
“Our state continues to navigate a tight labor market which has encouraged us to think creatively about how we support employers and workers,” says Howe. “We are seeing increased interest in reskilling, apprenticeships and work-based learning, as well as stronger alignment across education and workforce systems to prepare people for high-demand careers.”
Readying a Workforce
Statewide recruitment and relocation initiatives connecting jobseekers with opportunities in the state are also present in North Dakota.
“As highlighted during the Governor’s Workforce Summit last fall, our focus is to be responsive to what employers are experiencing and to ensure they have practical tools that support both business growth and community vitality,” Howe remarks.
Last October, the Bismarck State College Advanced Technology Center hosted the Summit, where more than 100 leaders from across the state gathered at the event convened by the North Dakota Department of Commerce.
“North Dakota’s future depends on our ability to adapt, collaborate and lead,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said in a fireside chat at the October event. “This summit is about more than programs, it’s about people. We’re building a skilled workforce that fuels North Dakota’s economy and ensures every North Dakotan can thrive.”
The state has over 80 workforce development programs and nine agencies overseeing programming aimed at recruiting and training workers. Last summer, a cabinet was started at the state level to align and strengthen North Dakota’s workforce efforts, with buy-in from the Governor’s office, K-12 and postsecondary education systems and several state agencies.
“Since it was created in June 2025, the group has focused on developing shared goals across the workforce ecosystem while also improving coordination among programs that serve employers and jobseekers,” says Howe about the group’s efforts. “At the Governor’s Workforce Summit, the Governor underscored the subcabinet’s role in reducing silos, creating common metrics and encouraging innovation across state systems. The collaboration happening within the subcabinet is already improving how agencies work together and how services are delivered across the workforce ecosystem.”
There is more than one path to work, and more than one kind of worker. In North Dakota, efforts are being made to welcome all kinds looking to learn and work.
“North Dakota is committed to supporting people at every stage of their journey,” Howe explains about the state’s approach to strengthening its diversifying workforce. “This includes students who are exploring career pathways, workers seeking new skills, foreign-born talent and international students who want to stay in North Dakota long-term, justice-impacted individuals who are reentering the workforce and rural residents who may face barriers such as child care or housing. This inclusive approach reflects a broader national movement toward more accessible and flexible workforce solutions.”
A Welcoming State
“New residents are drawn to the state because they can build both a career and a life here,” observes Howe. “Many people come for job opportunities, affordability and the welcoming nature of our communities. Our statewide recruitment efforts help connect individuals who are considering a move with employers and community leaders who can support their transition.”
A key factor that workers and their families look for when relocating to a new location or staying in an existing one is quality of life, comprising components like safety, health, economic opportunity and housing, community infrastructure, and amenities and culture. In North Dakota, affordable cost of living, low crime rates, safety and economic opportunities make for an attractive package. Housing costs are a little over 20% lower than the national average. According to a 2025 article by WalletHub ranking the happiest states across 30 metrics, North Dakota came in at No. 9 for work environment while ranking as one of the happiest states overall.
“Community factors such as housing and child care have also become central to workforce conversations because they influence a person’s ability to participate fully in the labor force,” Deputy Commissioner Howe says. “We are focused on building a workforce culture that is adaptable, collaborative and centered on the needs of people, employers and communities.”
When asked what sets the state apart when it comes to quality of life, Howe notes that “people value the balance they can find here with meaningful career opportunities paired with a lifestyle that allows for connection and stability. Residents appreciate shorter commutes, safe communities and a culture centered on supporting one another. The quality of life here is a major reason individuals and families choose North Dakota.”
The energy sector continues to have the biggest economic impact on the state of North Dakota, grossing more than $48 billion and supporting over 63,000 jobs in 2023, according to an NDSU analysis.
Photo: Getty Images/grandriver
She also observes that the state stands out “for its strong sense of community, supportive environment and excellent schools.” The state has 20 colleges and universities, including University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks and NDSU in Fargo. UND, the oldest and longest operating school in the state, was founded six years before North Dakota received statehood in 1883.
Education certainly supports industry and workers — in a February 2025 analysis conducted by the Governor’s office, the office of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, NDSU and the state’s Department of Commerce, the agricultural industry was recorded as having a $41.3 billion impact on North Dakota’s economy, supporting 123,360 jobs and contributing $10 billion in labor income. Among NDSU’s ag resources is its Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies.
“North Dakota’s future depends on our ability to adapt, collaborate and lead. We’re building a skilled workforce that fuels North Dakota’s economy and ensures every North Dakotan can thrive.”
— North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong
The study was supported by several state industry players and associations, signaling the continuing significance and success of the agricultural industry in a state where a high-performing energy sector is so prominent.
Other in-demand fields being prioritized for development in North Dakota include health care, the skilled trades, manufacturing, technology, engineering, transportation and education.
“We are also focused on areas tied to entrepreneurship and remote work as these opportunities continue to grow,” Howe adds, “and this focus aligns closely with national workforce trends and the ways states are working to stay ahead of changing labor market needs.”
