Governor Hoeven's Six Pillars
Workforce Development
» Economic Development
» North Dakota Trade Office
» Tax Relief
Innovation is at the heart of all we're doing. And we must be innovative in our efforts to recruit, educate and train our workforce. Six years ago, for example, our challenge was creating jobs. Then our challenge became creating higher paying jobs.
Today, our challenge is finding people to fill those jobs - good jobs ranging the entire gamut, from construction workers, oil rig workers, and truck drivers, to nurses, accountants, software writers, and engineers.
Now, just like when people came to our state to homestead, there's opportunity - opportunity in manufacturing, energy, technology and other areas.
The work ethic of the people of North Dakota is legendary, but we need to ensure that our people have the training and skills to fill the jobs and careers of the future. We must continue to build on our ability to recruit, educate and train our workforce. To do so, we have put forward programs like InnovateND, Operation Intern, Career Specialists, and our Talent Initiative.
- Our InnovateND program will provide technical assistance and mentorship to entrepreneurs across North Dakota. These are ambitious, world-class opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs right here in North Dakota.
- Operation Intern will give more young people the chance to gain experience in the workplace, both in the private sector and the public sector, through meaningful internships.
- Our Career Specialist program will ensure that we work with all high school students to connect them with the education, training, and career opportunities available in North Dakota.
- And our Talent Initiative is a joint effort between the Commerce Department and Job Service to partner with companies to recruit and train workers.
These programs, together with more funding for higher education and Centers of Excellence, as well as a real focus on workforce training at the high school, technical school, and collegiate level, will help us match our workforce with a growing and diversified economy.
