Gov. Doug Burgum today praised North Dakotans for stepping up and signing up for the Workforce Coordination Center (WCC) to help in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The WCC was created to serve emergency workforce needs in support of health care providers, industries and agencies affected by COVID-19.
"In just under a month, more than 750 North Dakotans have answered the call to help their state through this COVID-19 pandemic,” Burgum stated. “Although we have not needed to utilize all Workforce Coordination Center registrants yet, we are truly grateful for those who have expressed their willingness to serve.”
Burgum added that the WCC has done an incredible job engaging individuals to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. The WCC will continue seeking individuals willing to help so the state is prepared to respond robustly as the pandemic progresses.
The WCC is currently looking for individuals with experience in the following sectors:
- Nurses – both RNs and LPNs
- Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians
- Laboratory Administrative Support and Data Entry
- Contact Tracing Staff – including, but not limited to, those with a background in Public Health and Medical Services
- Information Analyst Positions for epidemiology and statistical modeling
“As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, so do the workforce needs to support it,” said Job Service North Dakota Workforce Services Director and WCC Co-leader Phil Davis. “North Dakota is fortunate to have a system like this in place to activate for such an emergency, and even more fortunate to have citizens willing to sign up to help.”
Davis pointed out that due to the constantly evolving situation, an individual who signs up today may not be needed immediately, but will be fully vetted and ready to serve when the need arises.
“The time to prepare is now,” Davis stated. “We look at this situation much like a flood fight. You don’t wait for the water to rise before you fill sandbags. You look at the crest predictions and do what you can to be prepared before the high-water mark arrives.”
North Dakota businesses that have a workforce need related to the COVID-19 situation are also encouraged to contact the WCC. The WCC will work to connect businesses with the volunteers and workforce they need to fit their needs for these critical skill sets.
To date, 200 individuals have been placed in volunteer and paid positions through the WCC.
The WCC was activated by Burgum on March 31, 2020, through collaboration between several state agencies.
For more information and to register with the WCC, go to www.ndresponse.gov/help or call 701-328-0400. Current COVID-19 position openings can be found at www.nd.gov/careers.