Bakken GROW (Global Recruitment of Oilfield Workers) is a new program that will help address the oil and gas industry’s workforce shortage by recruiting Ukrainian citizens and other skilled out-of-country workers to fill long and short-term positions in North Dakota’s oilfield.
GROWING NORTH DAKOTA’S OIL AND GAS WORKFORCE
Through Bakken GROW, the North Dakota Petroleum Council will serve as an immigration liaison between its members and recruiting agencies and will begin by utilizing the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, a humanitarian effort that is providing a legal pathway for Ukrainian citizens to come to the United States to live and work for a period of up to two years.
EMPLOYERS
Learn more about participating in the program to help fill your workforce needs.
SPONSORS
Learn more about sponsoring and supporting workers coming to North Dakota.
JOB SEEKERS
Learn more about employment opportunities currently available in North Dakota.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
SPONSORS
The North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) created the Bakken GROW program with the goal of recruiting legal United for Ukraine (U4U) refugees to fill open oil and natural gas jobs in the Bakken. These refugees have faced extreme hardship and immigration law requires a sponsor be identified before they can enter the United States.
Refugees will be matched with a member oil and natural gas company and will be employed right away after arriving in North Dakota.
Although Bakken GROW employers will be responsible for covering the cost of initial housing and other living expenses, U.S. immigration law requires individual citizen sponsors for refugee workers.
Being a sponsor entails vouching for a vetted refugee to enter the United States and ensuring the following will be available:
Receiving the U4U refugee upon arrival in the United States and transporting them to initial housing and initial employment;
Helping the U4U refugee complete necessary paperwork such as for a Social Security card and a drivers license;
Health care services and medical needs are being met for the two year period; and
As appropriate, assisting the U4U refugee with access to English as a second language class.
HOW BEING A SPONSOR BRINGS POSITIVE IMPACTS
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
EMPLOYERS
North Dakota’s oil and gas industry continues to struggle with filling its workforce needs. The North Dakota Petroleum Council introduced this program to help connect member companies with recruiting agencies and qualified workers from Ukraine and other countries.
To participate in this program, companies must:
Be a confirmed member of the North Dakota Petroleum Council.
Arrange sponsors to support workers, which includes ensuring sufficient financial resources to receive, maintain, and support the proposed beneficiary for the two-year period.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSOR REQUIREMENTS
Agree to the Bakken GROW job advertisement which is beginning oilfield laborer positions.
Agree to offer assistance obtaining housing, food and transportation which may be necessary in the first weeks of employment on a case-by-case basis.
If your company is interested in participating, contact the North Dakota Petroleum Council at 701-223-6380.
RESOURCES FOR
JOB SEEKERS
North Dakota’s oil and gas industry is facing a workforce shortage, and while Bakken GROW is targeted to legal United for Ukraine (U4U) refugees seeking humanitarian opportunities, all applicants are encouraged to apply for positions in North Dakota.
Job seekers that are already living and working in the United States and interested in employment in North Dakota’s oil and gas industry (or any other industry) can view available job openings at Job Service North Dakota.