ND oil country begging for workers, say officials

BISMARCK—The jobs outlook in the Oil Patch in western North Dakota is at its highest level in three years.

Central North Dakota looks good, too, heading into summer.

Released last week, Job Service North Dakota’s latest regional reports for job openings in central North Dakota and the Oil Patch region indicate their highest numbers since 2015-16.

In March, job openings in the oil country counties of Divide, McKenzie and Williams in northwest North Dakota cracked their highest since July 2015, according to Job Service North Dakota. Cindy Sanford, of the Williston Job Service North Dakota office, said the oilfield needs more people, preferably with experience and driving records free of moving violations.

Hydraulic fracturing, pipelines, truck driving, drone operators — these and more all need bodies, according to Sanford, who said the three northwestern counties also have “a huge, huge need” for health-care professionals and about 40 teachers.

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