Staffing Issues in Dickinson | Video

Alex Hagan | 6/26/2012

The new big box stores coming to Dickinson may be exciting but that brings up the question of staffing. The city already struggles with filling positions. Help wanted signs can be found throughout town, and now with news of large corporations like Menards, Petco and Cashwise on the way, there`s likely to be even more job openings.

Businesses of all sizes are coming to Dickinson. However, more big box stores coming to the city raises the question of finding enough people to run them.

"When you bring those businesses, they`re going to bring in staff themselves and we`re really hoping that those trailing spouses are the ones we can employ," said Dickinson City Administrator Shawn Kessel.

With the unemployment rate so low in the city, competition between all the businesses will affect hiring as well.

"When you look at unemployment of 1.5, 1.7 percent of the community, that`s below the national turn on just people changing jobs routinely. So, I think everybody is going to be competing for those same people," said Ray Ann Kilen with the Small Business Development Center.

City leaders say providing adequate housing for those potential employees is important to fill those positions.

"Some of those stores are requiring the developer to put up housing to accommodate their staff," Kessel said.

Job Service North Dakota is noticing some industries struggling more than others.

"That`s a huge challenge to the employers especially in our retail, hospitality type of industries," said Phil Davis, Customer Area Manager at Job Service North Dakota.

They say there are different ways employers can try to attract potential employees.

"The employers need to get out there and tell people what their businesses are about, advertise a little bit about themselves before they start looking for workers."

And applicants need to do their research before applying.

"The biggest thing is try to secure housing, the next thing is really take a look at your skills."

In a booming community, jobs are constantly available, but with so many people coming to town and the problem of housing, hiring enough people can be a problem.

Job Service employees say their Bismarck headquarters is also seeing a large increase in walk-in traffic as well.

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