Central ND News

The North Dakota Department of Commerce Global Talent Office (GTO) held the 2025 North Dakota Global Talent Summit on August 14 at Bismarck State College’s NECE building. The event brought together national and international experts to discuss how legal immigration can address workforce needs in the state.

More than 100 people attended sessions that examined the U.S. immigration system, hiring options, and ways to help global talent adjust and stay in North Dakota workplaces. The summit included panels, breakout discussions, and networking for employers, community leaders, and those involved in workforce development.

Governor Kelly Armstrong spoke at the opening of the event. “North Dakota’s workforce challenges demand bold, forward-thinking solutions,” said Gov. Armstrong. “Attracting and retaining global talent is not just a strategy—it’s a necessity. We must create a welcoming environment for skilled individuals from around the world and ensure our systems support their legal integration into our communities and economy.”

Speakers at the summit included Betsy Fisher, John Medeiros, Mike Zimmer, Phil Davis, and Holly Triska-Dally. They led conversations on topics such as immigration policy changes, labor shortages across industries, matching skills to available jobs, and helping newcomers become part of local communities.

Sessions addressed current immigration programs that bring workers to the U.S., trends in job markets that influence hiring needs, methods for training or certifying immigrants’ skills so they fit open positions, efforts by communities to retain international workers long-term, ways companies can hire those with advanced degrees or trade skills legally under current rules, as well as success stories from North Dakota employers.

“This summit is about more than information—it’s about action,” said Commerce Deputy Commissioner and Workforce Development Director Katie Ralston Howe. “We’re equipping employers with the tools they need to compete globally while strengthening the communities that make North Dakota home.”

The GTO leads efforts across North Dakota to build a broader workforce by connecting businesses with international talent pools and providing guidance on how to hire legally through existing pathways. It also offers resources on integrating new arrivals into local economies and preparing communities for changing demographics.

Attendance was free for all participants. Additional details about GTO initiatives are available at https://www.commerce.nd.gov/workforce/global-talent-office.