North Dakota is actively seeking to bolster its labor force by recruiting immigrants and refugees, as highlighted during the inaugural Global Talent Summit held on August 21, 2024. The state is facing over 13,000 job openings as of July, and officials believe that immigrant labor could play a vital role in filling these positions. Katie Ralston Howe, the director of workforce development, emphasized the state's commitment to this initiative through the Office of Legal Immigration, which was established in 2023 to streamline the recruitment process for immigrants [3bf51656].
Aswar Rahman, CEO of Victoria Street, noted the positive local attitude towards immigrants, suggesting that the community is receptive to integrating newcomers into the workforce. However, Rebekah Smith from Labor and Mobility Partnerships warned of a looming 'forever' labor shortage in developed countries, estimating that 400 million new workers will be needed by 2050 to sustain current economic structures [3bf51656].
This initiative in North Dakota mirrors similar trends in other states, such as North Carolina, which is also grappling with a significant workforce shortage. North Carolina has nearly 9 million job openings and 6 million unemployed workers, leaving around 3 million positions unfilled even if every unemployed person were to find work. The state's growing Latino and immigrant community is seen as a potential solution to this crisis, yet many lack access to work permits or a path to citizenship [ed2a6506].
Both states highlight the crucial role that immigrants can play in addressing labor shortages and driving economic growth, underscoring the need for supportive immigration policies that facilitate their integration into the workforce.