{"id":152399,"date":"2018-08-31T14:11:28","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T19:11:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=152399"},"modified":"2018-08-31T14:11:28","modified_gmt":"2018-08-31T19:11:28","slug":"results-statewide-workforce-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=152399","title":{"rendered":"Results, statewide workforce survey"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Bismarck\u00a0 (Gov. Burgum’s Office)\u2013 Gov. Doug Burgum and Labor Commissioner Michelle Kommer Friday released the results of a statewide survey<\/a> of employers designed to provide a deeper understanding of North Dakota\u2019s workforce challenges and help shape the state\u2019s workforce policy agenda.<\/p>\n

The survey was conducted in June at the direction of Burgum and Kommer, who is also executive director of Job Service North Dakota. It was sponsored by the North Dakota Workforce Development Council and the Greater North Dakota Chamber (GNDC) and supported by North Dakota State University\u2019s Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise (PCPE).<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe ability to attract and retain a workforce prepared to meet the demands of a 21st<\/sup> century economy has consistently emerged as the biggest challenge and top priority for communities as we\u2019ve traveled the state discussing our Main Street Initiative,\u201d Burgum said. \u201cNorth Dakota is in a global competition for talent, and our ability to create strategies and policies that position our state as a leader in workforce recruitment and retention is crucial. I\u2019m encouraged by the insight we\u2019ve gained from the survey and look forward to the recommendations it inspires.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThese survey results will be combined with feedback, data and evidence gained over several months of work by the Workforce Development Council,\u201d Kommer said. \u201cWe plan to provide targeted workforce recommendations to the\u00a0Governor\u00a0to inform the 2019-21 policy agenda, with details on those recommendations becoming available in October.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m confident this survey, combined with other efforts, will help better inform policymakers and business leaders about possible creative strategies to address our workforce shortage,\u201d GNDC President and CEO Arik Spencer said. \u201cIt is important for the private sector to take charge of innovating solutions in partnership with the state. This public\/private cooperation will be an exciting approach to new workforce solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Workforce is one of the three pillars of the governor\u2019s Main Street Initiative<\/a> and, according to the survey, the single biggest barrier to North Dakota\u2019s economic growth. Half of all survey respondents reported that their inability to hire and retain qualified candidates is a hindrance to growth.<\/p>\n

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Among the survey\u2019s other key findings:<\/p>\n

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