North Dakota
Science and Technology Plan

North Dakota is making the requisite investments in infrastructure, K-12 education and in its university system to provide a solid foundation for industry to continue to grow; with projected increases of 20-30 percent in IT and technical positions, North Dakota will be positioned to have the necessary workforce in place to meet demand. Ensure availability of technical workforce and trained scientists and engineers.

​

Education

North Dakota's K-12 education system faces challenges similar to other states with a rural population, including:

​

• Rural School Districts: The state's rural geography presents challenges for school districts in terms of access to resources, teacher recruitment, and funding. 

• Teacher Shortages: Like many states, North Dakota grapples with shortages of qualified teachers, particularly in certain subject areas such as mathematics, science, and special education. Recruiting and retaining teachers, especially in rural and remote areas, is challenging. Most recently, the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board declared all content areas as critical shortage teaching positions at their February 8, 2024, meeting for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Funding Equity: Ensuring equitable funding distribution and adequate resources for all students is essential for promoting educational equity and excellence. The 2023 Legislative session included Bill 2328 that created a school funding task force to, among other things, 1) review school payment formulas to determine whether education costs can be equalized across the state, 2) develop and study sliding-scale models within school districts based on size, student populations and economics, and 3) assess the negative impacts of the current funding formula.

• Technology and Connectivity: The digital divide exacerbates disparities in educational opportunities and access to resources, hindering students' ability to engage in online learning, access digital resources, and develop essential digital literacy skills. Bridging the digital divide through investments in infrastructure, technology integration, and digital equity initiatives is essential for ensuring all students have access to high-quality education in the digital age.

​

Public and private sector leaders in North Dakota recognize the urgent need for more science and research graduates to accommodate employers. Investing in K-20 STEM education to create the technical workforce that can fuel the growth of both new and existing business through research, development and commercialization.

In 2023, the ND EPSCoR Office partnered with the UND’s Bureau for Evaluation and Research Services Initiative for Rural Education, Equity, and Economic Development to undertake a P-12 STEM Needs Assessment. Over 1,000 P-12 school administrators and teachers completed the assessment. Participants represented schools in urban, suburban, small town, and rural areas and 63% self-identified as working at a school serving either working class or high poverty areas. Highlights from the attached report identified:

• Financial assistance for classroom equipment and supplies along with online curriculum/lesson plan resources were the two most commonly indicated resources to increase STEM teaching effectiveness;

• Preferred STEM activities included visits from scientists, tours of industry or higher education and curriculum-related field trips – activities which involve students coming into direct contact with STEM practitioners or facilities. 

​

Workforce development

The state collaborates closely with employers, educational institutions, and training providers to identify skill gaps and develop relevant curriculum and training programs. This ensures that workers are equipped with the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in high-demand industries, such as energy, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.

Moreover, North Dakota has invested in apprenticeship programs and career and technical education (CTE) initiatives and increasing registered apprenticeship opportunities that provide hands-on training and pathways to employment in various trades and professions. These programs offer opportunities for individuals to gain valuable experience and credentials faster, while earning a living wage, helping to address both workforce shortages and unemployment.

North Dakota's commitment to workforce development and education is helping to cultivate a skilled talent pool for the industry. Universities and technical colleges in the state offer specialized programs in UAS, robotics, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture and related fields. This includes strong and growing participation in STEM degree and advance degree programs from international students that are eligible upon graduation to fill jobs in critical STEM fields in North Dakota.

EDA Good Jobs Challenge bolstering our region’s economy by training and developing a skilled workforce in the industries of precision agriculture, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity/IT. This overall initiative is called the Ignite Initiative Regional Workforce Training System (IIRWTS), and within those industries, the focus is specifically on enrollment of new Americans, justice-involved, people of color, military veterans and spouses, and high school students.

North Dakota’s unemployment remains below 2% which poses challenges for employers especially when looking to fill highly technical or skilled positions. Focusing on K-20 and workforce development, recruitment and retention programs to fill these positions will bolster North Dakota’s economy into the future.