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Midco
Our future is fiber & already underway.
Let’s move Fiber Forward. Together.
We’re investing $500 million in our communities – and your hometowns – to bring the best of 10G right to your door, allowing you to experience a seamlessly connected smart world.
Let’s build stronger communities.
Fiber Forward℠ is set to strengthen our connection and provide greater economic development, education and quality of life to all we serve by powering your work, study, streaming, gaming – and so much more.
Let’s get started North Dakota.
We’ve got big plans for you.
150,000 $100M 27
Upgraded Homes and Businesses Investment in Bismarck, Dickinson & Fargo Upgraded Communities
P L U M B I N G
What does your business do?
Dabbert Custom Homes offers not only built-to-suit homes, but also move-in ready homes and rental opportunities. We also develop residential communities in the area. Our company takes pride in delivering an experience to the client that is unmatched. Exceeding our client’s expectations while building them a beautiful home created from their vision is our main focus.
Our team consists of many different backgrounds. Our designers and project managers have a college background in their fields. The individuals who primarily work on new home sites have an intensive background in construction. When we are looking for new team members, we search for a positive attitude and motivation, and train on site.
The new NDSCS Career Innovation Center will also provide a great opportunity for individuals interested in attending schooling for various trade careers.
The biggest challenge we have faced is the material availability and lead time.
Workforce shortage in this industry is another challenge we have faced. The community and business leaders can help with this by communicating the career opportunities in the trade industry to our local high school students.
The work our company does is important to the community because we are always promoting growth. By developing land into beautiful communities we are creating an area for people to live.
We are proud members of the FMWF Chamber and love being able to work with so many people in the community to make a positive impact.
What does your business do?
Legacy Plumbing is your local & trusted plumbing professional. We specialize in service & remodel plumbing. We are a flat rate transparent plumbing company that understands the importance of communication. Raising the bar of trade excellence and perfecting the customer experience is the Legacy way.
We are always looking to add talent to the Legacy team. We are a team first company so we are looking for passionate professional plumbers who fit our culture and are committed to our customer promise. We want our team to have long successful careers, so we offer the most rewarding pay structure in the business. Our plumbing professionals train continuously and aim to master their craft resulting in tremendous customer retention.
People can prepare for this industry by attending trade school. Individuals can also just jump into the trades and gain a ton of on-the-job training.
What are some perks to working in this field?
Plumbers develop a depth of general construction knowledge, create lifelong trade relationships and can also start a fantastic career without taking on large amounts of debt. Our plumbers aren’t stuck behind a desk; they are solution minded individuals and go home each day with a great sense of achievement.
We help maintain the heath and safety of homes, businesses and our overall community. We have experienced many water issues in the region, such as overland flooding, expanding and contracting of pipes in the winter months and low water table basement battles. As our area’s amazing growth continues, everything needs to be serviced and maintained to keep FMWF the best community it can be for all residents and local businesses.
HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION Cultivating the housing industry
The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead (HBA) was founded in 1956 to nurture a thriving, innovative and diverse housing industry in our community.
Today, approximately 750 local businesses affiliated with the homebuilding industry are HBA members. They receive professional, developmental, marketing and advocacy support daily, and the association works continuously to create and deliver the opportunities and resources required for members, the industry and, ultimately, the entire community to thrive.
HBA members are vital to the overall economic wellbeing and quality of life in our community because their services support the basic human need of shelter, a place to call home. HBA supports keeping housing attainable and the industry responsible for building those homes. The Association develops and executes events and services dedicated to workforce development, education, advocacy and its own distinction as the go-to authority for media and marketing.
Workforce development and education have always been paramount to the association but the urgent and increasing need for skilled labor concerns every facet of the economy. A four-year degree does not guarantee success or employment, so HBA has developed multiple programs for students to experience the trades, determine whether the trades are a suitable career for them and then set a career path to success. Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation, a charity administered by HBA, fills that gap by organizing and supporting events and financial support throughout the year that promote the homebuilding industry to students as young as five years old.
HBA and its members have contributed more than $1 million to the Career Innovation Center currently under construction in south Fargo. North Dakota State College of Science is working alongside local school districts and industry professionals to provide academic programs and experiential training for students essential to building a skilled workforce.
The Herdina Camp provides a twoweek course for high school students to experience the construction industry. Working side-by-side with professionals, we introduce students to the trades, enlighten them to unrecognized skills and interests and help them understand the innumerable opportunities that accompany a career in construction. Despite the urgent need for skilled workers, HBA does its part to strengthen and retain skilled workers by offering training and educational seminars that ensure employees understand issues and have the knowledge to prevent and overcome challenges.
Enrolling in HBA also provides members representation on federal, state and local levels of government and the association advocates effectively for legislation and policies favorable to keeping housing affordable, benefitting the end buyer. HBA also works with multiple entities to ensure public officials recognize the impact of their decisions. For example, the property tax exemption for homebuyers and builders would have lost all utility had HBA not partnered with The Chamber to stop well-intended but poorly drafted legislation.
Not only does HBA connect with government, it hosts landmark networking opportunities such as the Red River Valley Home & Garden Show and the Spring and Fall Parade of Homes events. These opportunities allow HBA members, homebuyers and homeowners to get know each other and develop the relations that are essential for every community to thrive.
As a two-year open enrollment college, M State is uniquely positioned to respond quickly to fill changing labor market needs as they arise. With demand for skilled workers growing – and expected to keep growing -- throughout the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo region, M State is prepared to fill an essential role in meeting the needs of both business and industry and of students seeking well-paying, high-demand careers.
More than 90 percent of M State graduates choose to live and work in the college’s communities, meaning M State alumni have a long-term and significant impact on business, industry and the future of communities throughout the region.
What does M State offer students who may be looking into the trades?
Students in our technical and trade programs get hands-on training in highly specialized skills using state-of-the-art equipment that prepares them to move seamlessly into the workforce. Courses combine problem solving, communication skills and applied technology, making M State graduates highly sought out by regional employers. Placement rates for our graduates are an impressive 91 percent.
What types of related jobs/career opportunities exist in our community?
M State’s Career Services office is seeing increased calls for workers from a host of businesses and industries whose workers are trained by M State, including healthcare and dental, transportation, construction management, electrical and plumbing. The number of job openings in these fields typically exceeds the number of program graduates, and many students have job offers well before graduation.
What might a typical process or timeline look like for a student wanting to go to school and then work in a certain field?
Each year, more than 800 M State students graduate with certificates, diplomas and degrees in programs that can be completed in six months to two years. Many programs offer the flexibility of online classes to meet the needs of students, and we offer more than a dozen short-term programs that can be completed in a year or less to give workers the skills and experience to move ahead fast in their current job or into a new career.
What does your business do?
Marvin is a family-owned and operated window and door manufacturer headquartered in Warroad, MN where the company was founded in 1912. We build windows and doors designed for how people live and work by imagining new ways to develop healthier and happier spaces.
There are a variety of career paths and opportunities at Marvin. In Fargo, some of these careers include engineering, human resources, maintenance, production supervisors, forklift operators, trainers, and production associates.
At Marvin, we promote career development and opportunities for advancement internally. Our tuition assistance program encourages fulltime employees to go back to school if they are interested in pursuing a degree or certification.
A career in manufacturing is rarely linear and there are many paths someone could take to pursue a career at Marvin. Soft skills are often more important than a specific skillset, education or work history. We train new employees and have developed a robust safety and training program for both onboarding and continuous education.
Marvin will be hosting events in the community throughout October to celebrate Manufacturing Day. If you are curious about learning more about manufacturing, join us at our West Fargo facilities (1512 9th St NE) on October 14th from 4-7 p.m. for tours, on-site interviews, and complimentary fall treats with hot cider.
We are excited for the future growth of Marvin. In early 2022 we will be opening a new Distribution Center in West Fargo. Marvin will continue to invest in the community while partnering with other local businesses and non-profit organizations.
MATT’S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER Keeping commuters safe
What does your business do?
We are a full-service automotive facility. We provide auto, light & medium truck and diesel repairs to all makes and models of vehicles. We have a full service autobody facility as well that provides auto glass, chip repair, body work, collision work, and custom restoration projects.
For the technical positions, a lot of people in those areas go to some sort of trade school for 1-2 years with a degree in a specific area. From there, they enter the workforce in an apprentice type or above role and learn how to apply the skills they learned in school at the workplace. We also have an inhouse apprenticeship program that we take people that have interest in the field and train them instead of them going to trade school to allow them hands on learning while earning a wage as well.
What are some perks to working in this field?
The automotive field is very rewarding. You get to work in a field that is changing daily and has very complicated and complex technology in it. The automotive field is a community of peers working together to improve the industry and that is exciting. You get to take things that are broken and make them work again, and you get to see satisfied guests as the result of the work you do. You also get to be involved in a business that keeps the entire world moving. interest in this great industry. Most automotive shops are looking for help, so if you know someone who has interest in the field, please encourage them to get involved.
There is a large shortage of skilled workers in most trades, but the automotive industry is really hurting. For every one tech that comes into the field, five are leaving, and the workforce is getting older and we need young people to have
The work we do keeps our friends and neighbors safe on our roads and provides a stable and fun work environment for our team members. It has been our mission to give each guest a great experience and to set a new standard for automotive repair.
DAKOTAS CHAPTER NECA The voice of the electrical construction industry
The Dakotas Chapter of the National Electrical Contractor Association (NECA), located in Fargo, is one of 119 NECA Chapters throughout the United States. Founded in 1901, NECA is the voice of the $171 billion electrical construction industry bringing power, light and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S.
It recognizes the need for qualified skilled workers—apprentices and journey workers—to keep the industry workforce pipeline flowing.
“During the 10-year period between 2018 and 2028, employment of electricians is projected to grow 10% faster than the average for all occupations,” said Curt Kasper, Career Development Manager at Dakotas Chapter NECA. “Nationwide, 7,000 electricians join the industry each year, but 10,000 retire.”
There is a great need for skilled workers across all the trades.
DAKOTAS JOINT APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
More than 70 years ago a joint training program sponsored by NECA, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was formed to train the best electrical workers for the industry.
The Dakotas Chapter NECA and its local IBEW partners offer the apprenticeship training program at seven training locations in North and South Dakota: Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, Minot, Williston, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City. “If you qualify for our apprenticeship program, there is no cost for tuition, however there is a nominal book fee,” Kasper said.
The apprenticeship consists of a five-year program with classroom learning and on-the-job training. The goal of apprenticeship is to earn your journey worker license after you complete the apprenticeship. Apprentices must accumulate 8,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and 900 hours of classroom learning. “You get a tuition-free electrical education, but you have to have some skin in the game, too. You have to show up every day ready to go to work safely, you have to dress properly, you have to work hard,” he said.
For more information: dakotasneca.org or dakotasjatc.org
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN?
• Must be at least 18 years of age • Must be a high school graduate or have a GED • Completed one full year of high school or post high school algebra with a C or better grade • Must pass a pre-employment drug test • A friendly attitude and willingness to learn • An electrician’s job involves cooperation and teamwork
