Conference focuses on ND's Economy
by InForum.com Posted on 10/9/2009
Hoeven says state must continue to recruit, educate and train the work force for future.
Given today's national economy, North Dakota has to be more aggressive than ever when it comes to economic development, Gov. John Hoeven told those attending his two-day 2009 Workforce Summit in Fargo on Thursday.
"We have an economy with very high unemployment," he said. "We are losing jobs, and we have deficits. It reminds us that now, more than ever, we have to be committed to economic development."
One of the key concerns is making sure North Dakota continues to recruit, educate and train the work force of the future and is responsive to the needs of businesses, Hoeven said.
"That's why you're all here and that's what this 2009 work-force conference is all about," he said.
The intent of the summit is to solicit ideas and input from employers and workers on what the state can do to improve the state's work-force efforts.
"We want their ideas to build for the future," Hoeven said.
Amy Baum recently moved to North Dakota from Iowa to become human resources manager at Fargo-based Phoenix International.
Thursday's conference agenda contained several topics that are relevant given the current economic environment, she said.
Among them were discussions involving staffing strategies, employee retention and training.
"I wanted to hear about the work-force challenges and opportunities in North Dakota because I'm a new human resources professional here," Baum said.
Darren Brostrom is director of employment insurance for Job Service North Dakota in Bismarck.
"I'm here to learn about our work force and how we can build and strengthen it in North Dakota," he said.
North Dakota is doing better than the national economy because of the state's commitment to economic development and funding education, Hoeven said.
North Dakota higher education funding totals
$800 million in a two-year cycle, he said.
"That's a huge commitment, but again it goes to making sure that we have the most highly educated, highly trained work force in the country," Hoeven said.
Another core objective has been building the state's business climate, he said.
"We passed $400 million in tax relief. Compare that to what other states are doing right now," Hoeven said.
The summit, which continues through noon today at Ramada Plaza Suites, 1635 42nd St. S., is held every two years to look at North Dakota's work-force challenges, said state Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle.
"We have to look at the long term and prepare a vision for North Dakota," Goettle said.
