North Dakota has long been recognized as having one of the most productive workforces in the nation. Our strong work ethic comes from generations of farm and business families that have ingrained in our people the belief that work is a integral part of life. That belief continues to demonstrate why one of the finest assets the Devils Lake Area has to offer is our dedicated workforce.

We're not the only ones to recognize this productivity. The Eleventh Annual Grant Thornton Manufacturing Climate Survey ranked North Dakotan productivity as the highest in the nation. 

2006 Labor Availability Survey

North Dakota workers boast:

North Dakota is a "Right to Work" and "Employment at Will" state.

Workforce Training Incentives

Workforce 20/20

Workforce 20/20 is a program to assist North Dakota businesses and industries in retraining and upgrading worker's skills to meet demands of new technologies and work methods.

Workforce 20/20 assists North Dakota employers in training and upgrading workers' skills. This state funded cost sharing training program was designed to fill gaps left by federally funded training programs that generally target long term-unemployed, dislocated workers, and other disadvantaged groups. This funding assistance is available to businesses to offset training costs for current workers and new employees. Expanding businesses or those new to the state are eligible. Other businesses are eligible when they are introducing new industry technologies or introducing new industry production methods. Workforce 20/20 provides direct reimbursements to businesses. The program requires a match from the business and is targeted to primary sector businesses, although not exclusively limited to primary sector businesses. Businesses must complete a Workforce 20/20 proposal and submit it to Job Service North Dakota. The proposal will be reviewed and rated by staff of Job Service North Dakota. Those proposals eligible for Workforce 20/20 funding are submitted to the Workforce 20/20 Advisory Committee for their recommendations. If the final action by the committee recommends funding, and the Executive Director of Job Service North Dakota concurs, a cost reimbursement contract would be entered into with the business. The contract must be completed, signed, and in place prior to the start of any training for which reimbursement is being requested.

More information can be found at the North Dakota Job Service Website.

North Dakota New Jobs Training Program

The North Dakota New Jobs Training Program provides incentives to businesses and industries that are creating new employment opportunities through business expansion or relocation to the state. The program provides a mechanism for companies to secure no-cost funding to help offset the cost of training new employees for business expansion and/or startup.

Under the New Jobs Training Program, the business obtains funds in the form of a loan, a repayable grant or under a self-financing option. The loan or grant, plus interest, is repaid through the capture of the state income tax withholding generated from the new job positions that are created. Under the self-financing option, sixty percent (60%) of the allowable state income tax withholding can be reimbursed directly to the business. The withholding credit is based on the new job position and not individuals in the position. The new job position may have any number of individuals in the position during the life of the project. State income tax withholding can be captured for up to a 10-year period, or until the loan is repaid, whichever comes first.

The initial criteria is that the business must be "primary sector" business, defined as one that adds value to a product, process or export service, resulting in the creation of new wealth. Eligible new job positions that can be included under this program must pay at least $7.50 per hour, plus benefits.

More information can be found at http://www.jobsnd.com/jsnd/jobsnd/employers/newjobs.html

Workforce Investment Act

With On-the-Job Training, the program provides employers with reimbursement of up to 50% of wages paid to an employee while he/she learns the job.

In Classroom Training, the program can be used to help with tuition, books, supplies, and at times a small living expense payment.

For more information or training needs assessment, please contact the:

Workforce Training Division
Lake Region State College
701-662-1593 or 
1-800-443-1313 Ext 593

or visit http://www.jobsnd.com/jsnd/jobsnd/employers/workforce_programs.html for more information.

Workforce Training Programs

As a division of Lake Region State College located in Devils Lake, North Dakota, the department of Workforce Training provides employers with a "single point of contact" for all of their training needs. The Workforce Training staff develops relationships with employers and organizations in the entire northeast quadrant of North Dakota and workforce training representatives form across the state. The department staff helps employers assess the needs of employees, custom-design classes to meet those needs, and deliver the training at a time and location that is convenient to the employer and employee.

Employers and employees in the region benefit by receiving the specific training they need, where they need it, and when they need it. They also receive the benefits of time and cost saving s by having a single point of contact that will take the time to locate qualified instructors and convenient locations. Workforce Training staff takes care of all billing, coordination of materials and equipment, and follow up evaluations. Smaller employers find value added in having a contact person knowledgeable about their businesses and training needs who will keep them informed of offerings in the area. The Workforce Training Division is committed to serving all employers' training needs from basic levels to highly technical.

For more information or training needs assessment, please contact the:

Workforce Training Division
Lake Region State College
701-662-1593 or 
1-800-443-1313 Ext 593