Workforce challenges don’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. For one business, the next great employee might be a high school student looking for their first opportunity to explore a career. For another, it could mean helping an experienced professional relocate to North Dakota or finding new ways to retain someone already building their career here.
At our September Brew'n Business, we explored some of the programs and partnerships available to help Lake Region employers tackle those challenges from different angles. From internships and work-based learning to relocation assistance and support for high-demand careers, there are resources available to help businesses build stronger connections with both their current and future workforce.
Whether you joined us for the conversation or are discovering these programs for the first time, we’ve gathered a few of the resources we discussed below so you can find the option that makes the most sense for your business.
Operation Intern
Best for: Businesses interested in internships, work experiences, or apprenticeships
Operation Intern helps North Dakota employers create internship, work experience, and apprenticeship opportunities. Eligible businesses can receive matching funds to help cover expenses associated with these positions, including wages, tools and equipment, essential training, or tuition reimbursement.
The current funding year's allocation has been applied for, but employers can still apply to be placed on the waitlist should funding become available.
Learn More About Operation Intern
ROOT Grant Program
Best for: Businesses recruiting talent from outside North Dakota
The ROOT Grant Program is designed to help North Dakota employers recruit out-of-state candidates for in-demand occupations by providing matching funds for relocation assistance.
Employers can use the program to help make a move to North Dakota more feasible for prospective employees, supporting expenses such as moving, travel, securing housing, licensing, and other eligible relocation costs.
Explore the ROOT Grant Program
ND Career Builders + Forward Devils Lake
Best for: Recruiting and retaining employees in high-need careers
ND Career Builders is a scholarship and student loan repayment program designed to help North Dakota businesses recruit and retain employees in high-need occupations. Through a partnership between employers or other qualifying donors and the State of North Dakota, matching funds can provide up to $17,000 per recipient toward qualifying scholarships or student loan repayment.
Locally, Forward Devils Lake can help businesses explore how Career Builders may fit into their workforce strategy and connect employers with the program.
Learn More About ND Career Builders
High-Need & In-Demand Careers
Best for: Understanding which occupations may qualify for workforce programs
Several of the workforce programs we discussed rely on state-designated lists of high-need, emerging, or in-demand occupations to determine eligibility. These lists span industries ranging from healthcare and education to skilled trades, technology, finance, management, and more.
If you're considering one of these programs, checking whether the position you're trying to fill qualifies is a great place to start.
Looking for Something Else?
These are only a few of the workforce tools available to North Dakota businesses. The North Dakota Department of Commerce offers additional programs and resources surrounding workforce recruitment, training, talent attraction, apprenticeships, and other workforce needs.
If any of these programs caught your attention or had you thinking about your own workforce needs, we’d especially encourage you to join us for the Career Fair on October 6 from 4–7:30 PM at Devils Lake High School.