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North Dakota has roughly 26,000* open jobs and only 30* workers available for every 100* of them. Our state's economic future depends on filling those jobs. The Global Talent Office is North Dakota's coordinated answer — a workforce office that helps employers, communities, and partners attract and retain the talent the state needs to grow.
Why Global Talent Office Exists
North Dakota's workforce shortage is structural, not seasonal. It cuts across every industry - healthcare, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality - and across every region of the state. Every credible analysis of the shortage points to the same conclusion: domestic recruitment alone cannot close the gap. Attracting work-authorized talent from outside the U.S., legally and sustainably, is part of the answer.
The Global Talent Office is North Dakota's coordinated response. We work statewide to help employers navigate the system, support communities welcoming new workers, and align partners around shared workforce goals - so that the state can compete for the talent it needs.
Vision & Mission
OUR VISION
To position North Dakota as the destination for global talent, driving economic growth and community vitality through forward-thinking strategies.
OUR MISSION
The Global Talent Office leads a statewide strategy to attract, retain, and integrate talent from around the world, fostering a robust and diverse workforce for North Dakota.
Our Origin
◆ ESTABLISHED 2023
Created with bipartisan support to meet a workforce challenge.
GTO was established in 2023 by the 68th North Dakota Legislative Assembly through Senate Bill 2142, sponsored by Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) and signed into law by Gov. Doug Burgum in April 2023. Originally named the Office of Legal Immigration, it was the first state-level office in North Dakota in 90 years focused on attracting and retaining workers from outside the U.S. In 2025, the 69th Legislative Assembly renamed the office to the Global Talent Office to better reflect its workforce-strategy mission.
Our Team
GTO is a small team within the North Dakota Department of Commerce, working within the Workforce Development Division. Our work depends on a much larger network of partners across state agencies, employers, community organizations, and educational institutions.
Our Impact
Two years in, GTO has built a foundation of partnerships, programs, and engagement across North Dakota. We track our progress publicly so partners, employers, and the legislature can see the return on the state's investment. In 2025, we had the following:
Scope of our Work
What GTO is - and isn't
Stay in Touch
Whether you're an employer, a worker, a community organization, or a state partner - we're glad to hear from you. Our team routes inquiries to the right person quickly.
OFFICE:
North Dakota Department of Commerce
Workforce Development Division
P.O. Box 2057
Bismarck, ND 58502-2057
Global Talent Office Chats
The Global Talent Office invites you to join our Global Talent Office Chats webinars! These sessions connect employers, workforce professionals, community leaders, and partners with resources, updates, and best practices for attracting, retaining, and integrating global talent in North Dakota.
Each webinar features timely workforce topics, practical tools, and opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and connect with others working to strengthen North Dakota's workforce.
Global Talent Office Chat: Fueling Growth: Bridging the language gap for ND employers and Nonprofits Webinar took place in June, 2026. Check out the recording below:
If you missed a webinar, you can view past recordings from our archive.