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HB 1036 (Apprenticeships): Sitting Pretty, Thinking Smart.
GNDCTuesday, January 21, 2025At GNDC, we keep our focus sharp: supporting legislation that builds up North Dakota’s business environment and challenging anything that threatens its foundation. HB 1036 is a good bill this session—a proactive, solutions-oriented proposal that directly addresses one of the state’s most pressing challenges: workforce. This is the kind of smart policy that fuels growth, and we’re fully on board.
Let’s set the scene: North Dakota businesses are grappling with a persistent workforce crisis. In our 2024 ND Economics and Employer Survey, a staggering 70% of respondents cited hiring difficulties as their number one concern. A solution? Apprenticeships. HB 1036—a bill designed to create a Division of Apprenticeship within the Department of Labor and Human Rights to fortify our current Federal Apprenticeship Office.
This isn’t just another bill; it’s providing structured support path for North Dakota’s workforce.
WHAT HB 1036 DOES- Establishes a dedicated Division of Apprenticeship to support and expand apprenticeship programs.
- Provides funding and staffing to create resources for businesses eager to adopt this proven workforce model.
- Launches a pilot program to aid businesses in establishing new apprenticeship programs.
GNDC isn’t the only advocate for HB 1036. The North Dakota State Building and Construction Trades Council has also testified in strong support, highlighting the critical role of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in developing skilled tradespeople. Their testimony underscores the importance of expanding state resources to support apprenticeship oversight, certification, and program growth.
HB 1036 has our full support. This bill is a smart, scalable solution to one of North Dakota’s most pressing challenges. Doubling down on the infrastructure in place - It invests in workforce development, creates new opportunities for businesses and employees, and positions our resources toward collaborative innovation.
See ND Building and Construction Trades testimony here
See GNDC testimony hereTell a Friend
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