Employers learn about international recruitment and employing foreign-born labor at summit

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Reports say North Dakota has more jobs available than we are able to fill. That was the topic on Wednesday at the Office of Legal Immigration’s global talent summit.

Workforce Development Director Katie Howe said this is a challenge the state has been working to address for years. She said North Dakota is making great strides and has more workers today than five years ago, but we need more.

Howe said the state’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the nation, having invested in strategies to retain talent. Plus, she said the new Office of Legal Immigration means the state is able to attract talent from other countries in a way they weren’t able to do a year ago.

“The Office of Legal Immigration’s current scope of work includes sourcing national and international recruitment pipelines, improving employer awareness of those pathways and recruitment opportunities, and improving the retention of international talent within the state,” said Howe.

Howe said in just one year, the Office of Legal Immigration has become an immigration resource hub for employers and communities across North Dakota. She said if an employer has used workforce immigration in the past or is just looking to get started, their office is a great place to begin.

Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.