JSND Success Story

JSND provides workforce and unemployment services across the state through nine different Workforce Centers, as well as their central location in Bismarck, ND. JSND offers a variety of services for both job seekers and employers. JSND has its roots in the Social Security Act of 1935 when Congress established unemployment insurance as part of an employment security system designed to provide an economic safety net during the height of the

“JSND provides regular workshops to justice-involved individuals within North Dakota’s correctional facilities, assisting them in their transition from incarceration to become contributing members of the state’s workforce. In November 2022, JSND staff delivered a workshop to 20 inmates at the James River Minimum Unit (JRMU)/James River Correctional Center (JRCC) facility in preparation for a job fair that was to follow. Topics covered included interview goals and strategies, preparation tips, greetings and introductions, do’s and don’ts, and much more. Following the presentation, staff recommended that, upon their release, inmates stop by their local JSND offices for additional assistance with job searching. In January 2023, Karl, a former inmate at JRMU, stopped by JSND-Fargo for assistance with his resume. He participated in the November 2022 workshop and introduced himself to some of the JSND employees he recognized from the workshop. Karl was then provided with additional resumes, job searching, and job application assistance. The very next day, Karl phoned the JSND-Fargo office to share that he had accepted a maintenance position that paid $28/hour with full benefits. Staff at JSNDFargo joined Karl in celebrating his excitement over his new job offer. It is success stories like these that make for very exciting days at JSND.”

Provided by Job Service ND

About Carey: “22 years ago, I started working in the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program, which is a program that's attached to receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). When someone applies for a public assistance program such as TANF, they are referred to JSND to participate with us in skill training and assistance from us in getting them to a more self-sufficient place.”

About Amy: “In 2009, I began as a temp in the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) program, which works with unemployed individuals to find employment. Over the years, I’ve gradually moved up to become the office manager of the Bismarck Workforce Center.”

The aforementioned workshops are far from the only method of outreach that JSND takes pride in. On the first Wednesday of every month, JSND holds a “Workforce Wednesday” hiring event across their locations. During the event, companies currently hiring will come into JSND’s office and offer people a chance. Furthermore, JSND employees will oftentimes go to North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (NDDOCR) facilities and hold various classes and presentations.

“We do industry-wide and community-wide job fairs regularly throughout the year at our bigger offices in Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, Dickinson, and Fargo. Our Bismarck office is responsible for 10 counties, so we do a lot of outreach and help connect employers and employee hopefuls,” Fry said. “We can see anywhere from 300 to 500 applicants come in looking for work, and 50 to 150 employers are looking for workers at those events, so it’s amazing to bridge both sides of the workforce coming together. We also work with businesses to discuss labor market information, such as what they should be paying. We have a lot of data that will show someone what their competitors would be paying someone to do that same job.”

Job Service ND often hosts job fairs to boost the likelihood of making the connection between employer and hopeful employee.

One of their largest annual events, the Second Chance Job Fair, took place on Thursday, June 8. At this event, employers come to give individuals who have faced, or still do face, significant barriers to employment. Five of JSND's offices participate simultaneously across North Dakota.