Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - N.D. power plants won't hire our graduates

N.D. power plants won't hire our graduates

Jul 09, 2008 - 04:06:08 CDT

By JEAN HODGES
Bismarck

A few comments in regard to the shortage of workers at the power plants:

My daughter completed the power plant process program at Bismarck State College in December 2006. When entering the program, she was told by an instructor, "Don't even think you will get a job in North Dakota. All they hire are people with experience." I asked a human resource employee if that was true and indeed it was. When I asked why, the answer was, "Because we can." In trying to find employment, it became apparent that some out-of-state power plants are reluctant to hire North Dakota people, since they leave in a few years to return to North Dakota.

My daughter is now employed in the field out of state and quickly working her way up the ranks. She is a valued employee and will stay where she is appreciated - out of state.

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Comments

Jean wrote on Jul 26, 2008 8:38 PM:

" Jean - my oh my - this is way off track. To clarify a few points - my daughter did not "fail" get a job in ND because she did not apply for any positions in ND. Her
training at BSC was great and landed her a wonderful job because she could answer all the interview questions. She values her training because she knows
how and why things work in the plant where she is at. I appreciated the fact that
she was told not to assume she would be employed in ND. My point was - if there is a shortage of workers in ND there are some great BSC graduates who may be
the best candidate for the job - end of story. "

BBB wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:38 AM:

" Our son will graduate the power plant program soon. We expect and encourage him to expand his horizons. He has no problem seeking employment wherever it is. He however has not missed one day of class and maintains a 3.5 gpa. He is positive, bright, friendly and a true gentleman. If he moves from ND and never comes back to live, that will be just fine. Will ND suffer? I doubt it. Will he suffer? I doubt it even less. If he has no opportunity or desire to return perhaps we shall seek life closer to him. Here is my point-we have tried to prepare him for life as it comes based on solid decisions. We have tried to do the same for ourselves. If circustances change we will change. We love ND-born and bred-heaven on earth it is not. I only wish the complainers would look beyond and stop blaming others for their situation. Take control of your lives for a change. "

Personal discretion wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:03 AM:

" I learned a long time ago that even though I've felt I was supremely qualified for a job (and I probably was), there are other people out there who are just as qualified or maybe even more so. Later in life when I worked in management I might interview a handful of really well qualified people for a position...any of them could do the job and do it well...that's when it gets tough. Sometimes it just boils down to which applicant you get a gut feeling about; attitude is everything. On the same token, I have hired people with less qualifications if their attitude is really positive and they outshine the others...we can train someone to do a specific skill, we can't teach someone to have a good attitude. "

james wrote on Jul 15, 2008 6:19 PM:

" Yup move out of state just not california. Any where else is fine. "

d wrote on Jul 15, 2008 7:50 AM:

" TO UNDESERVING. Some people do gt jobs that they don't deserve that happens at every company. If there wes a way to prevent that companys wouldn't hire them and undeserving employees are in the eyes of the beholder. Just because they seem underserving to you maybe the employer sees qualitys that you don't see and wouldn,t understand. Also if you work in a plant with drug use you should be turning those people in. I want a safe enviroment to work . I don't want to get hurt or killed or any of my coworkers killed by a stupid mistake because of a impaired coworker. "

plant employee wrote on Jul 15, 2008 7:23 AM:

" Maybe some of the people writing these letters should be asking what they did or did not do in the interview. Interviews are very important. We have had people in interviews refuse to work shift work, said they are not willing to work overtime, comments like thse will kill an applicant's chance in a hurry. "

WE Did IT wrote on Jul 14, 2008 4:16 PM:

" We did it, we moved out of state for 5 years after going to school at BSC's power plant program. Got the experience of both the job and living in the city and then moved back to ND and got a job at a local refinery. If some enjoy living somewhere else and don't want to come back that is fine, but their is people like us that took the experience and went with it and enjoyed ND so we did come back. Yes it would be nice to of just stayed here but then at least you are getting experienced workers that are coming back!!! "

Undeserving wrote on Jul 14, 2008 3:43 PM:

" I wouldn't say alot of those guys and girls are responsible because they moved out of state and got trained somewhere else. I know several people who are very lucky to have gotten in at the plants in ND, and they do not deserve to be there. They do a bunch of coke and meth so they can stay awake working there 12hr night shift. it is simply amazing they don't get randomly screened. I personally will stay at my plant in the riff raff cities. If you opened your eyes there is plenty of riff raff in ND "

d wrote on Jul 14, 2008 2:12 PM:

" TO TOM. Most plants do hire out of staters that left to work at other plants. They bring the people backwhen they,re trained people that want to work not whine all the time. TO LOCAL GUY It's not that easy to bring people in 4-5 dollars an hour less till there trained. Most plants are union and you have to follow union scale so it's not an option. Besides that they would state whinning about getting less for doing the same joband I wouldn't blame them. Most people commenting about hiring out of school and locals if you don't work in the indusrty shouldn't be commenting, I'm not coming to your job site and telling you how to do business. "

Online Editor wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:03 AM:

" To Bis Prof: The comment has nothing to do with the letter, I am attempting to steer the conversation back to the original topic. "

Online Editor wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:52 AM:

" To readers, writers: Please stop the name calling. Focus the comments on the story, not on each other. "

Bis Prof wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:29 AM:

" Patriot, your first paragraph is two unrelated thoughts; could you please clarify what you are saying? This is not meant as an insult, I simply do not understand you.
Second, I guess I had better be perfectly clear. I purposefully wrote those comments to get a rise out of you, and it worked. It doesn't mean I believe it. I thought it best that you be on the receiving end of being judged.

Third, a "quality group" is much too vague a phrase, and forth, please see my last reply to investment.
Thank you. "

Plant Worker wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:26 AM:

" Like most plant workers I had to move out of state to a rural town to get a job. BSC students need to be aware of what they are most likely going to face. Below are the requirements for getting a plant job that has nothing to do with education or experience.
1.Small towns are heaven on earth
2.Must be a deer hunter and fisherman
3.Must drive a Chevy pickup can't be a Ford or a Dodge
4.Must be able to debate NASCAR races
5.Drive many miles to work
6.Work 12 hour rotating shifts including weekends and holidays.
7.Be exposed to many possible dangers or hazards
8.Last but most important, be highly compensated for not having a bachelors or masters degree. Now you decide if this is the career for you. If you are city boy like me you better hope to get a refinery job in a populated area and not count on the one in Mandan. "

patriot wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:15 AM:

" Bis Prof: Yes you struck a chord, I've never been subjected to such blind bias. As for what those other people from other states would say to my comment about Riff Raff, let me educate you, besides having grown up and spent the first 22 years of my life in ND, I've lived in 3 foreign countries and 6 other States. Their first response would be "where the hell is ND? Is that the one with the stoned Presidents?"

I now live (unfortunately) in one of the most liberal cities in the country. I know riff raff when I "hear it" and "see it" and somehow you got in despite the cold winters.

As for the letter writer, I really believe that getting a job elsewhere is not a bad thing, you appreciate ND that much more. Whenever I have come across ND people living elsewhere they have been great, quality people, its our greatest export (yes, better than durum); I can't say that about other states I've lived in. Although, I will also say, one of the things I learned living overseas (Asia & Europe) is that people are people the world over and cannot be typecast by race, ethnicity or religion; but the people of ND have yet to prove me wrong in saying they are really a quality group. "

Local guy wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:06 AM:

" Power plants could hire North Dakota grads at a low wage with a 4 or 5 year progression scale to top pay. The telephone companies have been doing that for decades! Then, when the grad is up to speed, and deserving of top wages, he or she will stay around for 30 or 40 years as a loyal employee. It's a win-win-win situation.......for the state, the company, and the grad who wants to stay in ND. "

investment wrote on Jul 13, 2008 11:40 PM:

" BP: I don't think you read what people are saying, you read what you want or what the little voices are telling you. Look up the statistics on criminal behavior and you will find a higher per capita rate in places like Las Vegas. There for more riff-raff. In regards to your culture slam or intended slam, it was misplaced since I don't think riff raff is culturally based and if you were trying to slam my culture I wasn't offended except to the extent that you would assume that riff raff was culturally or ethnically based. Idiots come in all shapes and sizes, even professors.
In regard to the power indusrtry jobs, pull up your boots and get to work finding a job. If you want to stay in ND start applying and stop whinning. Your daughter has a college degree, she can fight her own battles without your help, I hope. "

ignorant wrote on Jul 13, 2008 11:16 PM:

" why does our refinery run so smoothly and safely? why has there never been a fatality in its 54 some odd years of operation? why are all of our power stations extremely safe? why are they extremely efficient? why are the profitable?

there are many reasons.

one of them is they aren't a training program, they like to have the rookies go somewhere else, work at an ethanol plant, out of state power station, somewhere to get experience and come back. that way we get the best employees working our plants. they get to pick and choose their operators because they are the best employers. they dont owe anybody anything. "

Bis Prof wrote on Jul 13, 2008 5:49 PM:

" Well! it seems I've struck a chord! So, taking a swipe at the local culture certainly gets a reaction, so what about when we take a swipe at other people in other states, like Patriot did? How do you think they would feel about that? And now you both try to project upon me YOUR need for self-evaluation! Good luck to you both,
BP "

Tom wrote on Jul 13, 2008 1:33 PM:

" Hey

The guy pays TAXES and the school gets some of his hard earned money. Then they hire people from out of state?? They don't pay any taxes for years, don't purchases a majority of what the plant produces???
I signed up for the same class 25 years ago. I was told the same thing on the first day. Never came back, quit.
The local plants should be ashamed not to invest in our young native born people.

SIr
Tell your daughter to check out jobs in California. The wages are more, housing is tanked right now which would give her a good chance to get her own place. I know they are looking for people right now, "

power plant employee wrote on Jul 13, 2008 8:58 AM:

" I work for a power plant in ND and it's not always true you need to leave the state first or it's who you now. When I was hired I was fresh out of school, I did not now anyone at all from the plant. I was hire based on Good Grades and most of all Did I make it to Class Every Day. This is important to those graduating from school. If you can't make it to class you may have a hard time making it to work. "

patriot wrote on Jul 13, 2008 8:48 AM:

" Investment is correct. Bis Prof you are the "bigot". I know I can call you that and still get this posted since you just did it this morning. How unbelievably ridiculous of you to turn my post into something about race and bigotry. I suggest you do some self examination of your attitudes toward your fellow citizenry. "

investment wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:23 PM:

" Dear dear prof. I don't care what color or creed a person is or what country of origin they hale from, riff raff is riff raff.

Feel free to profess me a bigot if it makes you feel intellectually superior. Any person who does the items you listed is riff raff, regardless of race or religion. I don't know why it is you can't label a group of people what they are? Riff Raff

You sir are the arrogant one. "

the UND grad wrote on Jul 12, 2008 10:50 PM:

" Patriot, Switch to NDSU ? gosh no. I don't know what sort of a "universe" anyone would would want out of there university experience but when I went to Grand Forks it had the largest numbers of foriegn students, the medical school, law school, avaition school, an Air Base, it was close to a big non-US city and it had all the educational oppertunities that go along with that. Besides, by the time I was out of high school I knew everything there is to know about cows. Although I understand the NDSU group is all excited about their methane capturing techniques, I will pass (pun intended).My first job 20 years ago was about $55K. The guy had my last 3 paycheck stubs, I can't imagine why he would think I would take that huge a pay cut. I was sincere when I said a BSC grad can have the job, and I am sure if they can explain the Title 5 permit requirements and discuss multi million dollar construction projects they have managed they will get it. Untill then it is likely they will ending up working for people like me in Minnesota, Texas, California, Colorado or where ever, and once there career starts it is unlikely they will come back. That is what I was trying to say, and I didn't mean to be arrogent, except to NDSU grads. "

Bis Prof wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:33 PM:

" Investment, or shall call you "Bigot." Although not everyone can be a perfect white, German or Norwegian Christian Conservative--and therefore arrogant in belief of perfection--amazingly, those who are not are not all "Riff-raff."
And, oddly enough, ND is filled with crimesuch as rape, murder, theft, drug abuse, alcoholism, child-molesters, etc. And these are all the good local people I've described above. How odd. "

tr wrote on Jul 12, 2008 7:12 PM:

" hey North Dakotans~ here is a newsflash~ just because there is oil in your state does not mean NDers have the first right to jobs-the world is big and filled with plenty of educated and experienced people so your daughter is no big deal. And by the way, college is nothing without experience so tell her to wait her turn in line. No one owes her a job just because she is a native of ND "

investment wrote on Jul 12, 2008 5:23 PM:

" Bis Prof: you must be the guy that invites the riff-raff in off the street, better yet you are the guy that purposes taxes to support the riff-raff wherever they may be so that the rest of us good citizens have to pay for their continued state of riff-raffness. I would defend their right to work to remove the tag of riff -raff. As well as any of the other rights granted by the constitution and its amendments. Being Riff-raff isn't a right. "

haze wrote on Jul 12, 2008 1:46 PM:

" To Nannapaddie - you are right. The young people now think they should walk out of school with their diploma and start right at the top. They don't seem to understand it takes WORK to earn a better salary and that it's not just handed to you. "

Bis Prof wrote on Jul 12, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Patriot, there is never anything politically correct regarding bigotry and /or racism, and I would expect that a "Patriot" understands that he/she defends the rights of all the citizenry. "

nannapaddie wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:20 AM:

" The problem here is young people go to college & expect to get a good job with high pay..so they can have all the things their parents worked for many years to get .....My husband did not go to college for power plant training, but landed a job in a gas plant. It took 8 eight years to get that job. He proved that he was a reliable,competent employee that worked as a subcontractor first,, oh yeah , it might be that it is a situation where you must know somebody to get in, but thats just the way it is everywhere else too. Sometimes you have to be willing to start at the bottom to work your way up. "

jennifer wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Ms. Hodges:

What makes you think that your daughter was "entitled" to be hired right out of school. Being from ND isn't the only qualification looked at from prospective employers. "

Matt wrote on Jul 12, 2008 8:45 AM:

" The way the "structured" interview questions are answered makes the difference on who gets the job, and experience, skill, training etc. may have little to do with it or are of minor importance. See if you can get yourself an answer sheet before going to the interview and come up with something the employer likes to see. Your chances might improve. Also, in many cases, I think the person for the job is already decided and the interview process is just a formality just to comply with the law. "

patriot wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:19 PM:

" UND Grad: Not sure what you did wrong, my little brother started at that salary at a Plant in North Dakota..........when he graduated from NDSU. Maybe you should have switched schools mid-stream.(tongue firmly in cheek)

To Bis Prof: riff-raff = whatever undesirable element one cares to attribute to the word that we in North Dakota say that -40 temps keep out

There, how was that for political correctness? "

Bis Prof wrote on Jul 11, 2008 6:54 PM:

" Patriot:

Could you please define "riff-raff" for me? "

the UND grad wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:56 PM:

" I never could spell. I do however, know how to site, permit and build powerplants. The offer was $55K , 60 hour weeks and lots of travel. "

Returned from Out of State wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:41 PM:

" My husband is one of the BSC Power Plant Graduates who had to go out of state to get experience...and we recently moved back. Living out of state was great experience for us both, but we are glad to be back in ND. It took my husband over a year to get a job back here and he had applied at numerous places before he even got an interview. Also...its not only experience that they want around here, you have to know someone too. In the Power Plant field, its not "what you know"...its "who you know"...and if you don't know the right people, good luck finding a job around here! I have heard of a few cases where people have been hired straight out of Graduating from the BSC Power Plant Program in the Bismarck/Mandan area...buts its because they had a relative that helped get them in. It would make me angry now if they started hiring the graduates straight out of college since we had to leave for 4 years! How fair would that be to all of those guys (& girsl) who had to leave the state to get experience? And how about the guys (& girls) who want to return to ND...but they won't be able to come back if all of the open positions are filled by non-experienced graduates! If you don't want to move out of state to get experience...don't go through the program. "

d wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:26 PM:

" To Was, Why not have other people train what part don't you understand about saving money on trained employees. Name some employers that turn there nose a ND people. There may have been a few companys that hired a lot and lost them but I bet if you look at the companies looking at BSC for workers hasn't dropped off. Look at the online courses offered anybody can take that course that opened a lot of doors for companies and people taking it on line not even living in ND. Also same reason for hiring out of state ND people instead of college grads is the attitude you have. Hire me i don't want to leave my home and secure surroundings. "

Was wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:10 PM:

" Why let out of state plants train your workers. I know a lot of them won't even think twice about you when they see your from ND. They don't want to hire and spend money on training them if they are just gonna leave in two years or so. "

To the UND grad wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:43 AM:

" Are you kidding? You live in Vegas and don't know how to spell Las Vegas? You are a UND grad and don't know how to spell salary? What did they offer you? "

d wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Tommy it not the good press bad press issue on hiring it comes down to the dollar amount when it comes to training. Why should any company spend more than thay need to to train emplyees. Just look at the present economy, why pay more for a product than you need too. You don't buy any thing with out shopping for the best deal why shouldn't an employer. Also as mention come maturity issue I can tell you that an emplyee that was out of state before coming to our plant is more mature and less when it comes to complaining. Some of our out of school employees are usually complaining about different issues, where the mature one is happy to be back in ND. We have had others leave for other plants only wanting to come back they found out the grass was the same color. Thats why employers place ads toget the most qualified personel to apply for jobs. Do other companies go directly to the college for employment, I don't think so most run ads in hope of getting trained employees. Don't just blame the power companys for outward migration. Going to college only gives you the basic knowledge of power plant operations most palnts are different in the way they operate or are operated. It takes more than a book skills to do the job. "

Haas wrote on Jul 11, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Not even state government hires North Dakotans. I have seen it several time where they bring people in from out of state instead of hiring equally qualified North Dakotans. This even happens with people that have been out of school for many years. You would think Hoeven would have some sort of policy on this? "

Tommy wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:47 AM:

" typical..... Why not just hire the ND student and not have bad press??? "

d wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:09 AM:

" The company I work for has hired both out of state power plant workers with experieced and temporary workers from the college directly from BSC. One thing to realize that when an opening occurs their are thousands of people that apply. A business knows the most qualified for the job is some with work experience so they can be brought in with limited training which saves the employeer money. When I went to school they told me two things that your first job would be most likely out of state and if you don't like shift work and working weekends your wasting your time. I too left the state for employment to me it was a good move. I got good training met lots of different people and matured. I believe it made me a better person. For the person that graduates that doesn't have a job yet it's your own fault. Why should a local company hire you when theirs go getters out there that left their family and friends for a job out of state. Those people that left are commited to there education and making the best of it. When i graduated 21 years ago some people refused to go out east for work and stayed home all thosa that denied out of state employment are still working mediocre jobs. All the people we hired in the last 15 years since I start have been former ND people so were bring back what we lost. At our plant we are a 100 % born ND people. As far as pay I have worked in 3 other states at power plants and ND ranks high in pay, maybe not the highest but if you want to make a good living our power plants and coal mines are the best. With one year college I make more than a lot a people with 4 yr degrees. "

patriot wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:50 AM:

" To UND Grad Las Vegas:
From: A Bison Grad (of many places) - perhaps arrogance was the problem and they weren't willing to pay extra for that?

Besides, Las Vegas has less snow, more riff-raff, but higher year round temps. "

gg wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:23 AM:

" I completed the Power Plant school about 7 years ago and was forced out of state. I didn't want to go but it was the only place I could get a job. It was in CA. I worked for 3 years and moved back and got a job here. Even though I didn't like it I look back on it and am glad I did it. It made me a more responsible well rounded person who appreciates what we have back here. You daughter WILL get a job back here eventually. Especially being a female. An experienced female has a better chance at a job than a male just because there are less females in the industry and company's need women as part of there workforce just as they need males. So, again don't worry your daughter will be back...if she wants to. many people leave wanting to return and find out they enjoy where they are at and never move back "

UND Grad Los Vegas wrote on Jul 10, 2008 11:45 PM:

" I have to question these "high paying jobs in the ND energy Sector". For the past decade or so I have worked building and permitting powerplants in California and Nevada. Recently I went throught a interview with a ND company. All went great untill we talked compenstaion. The guy wrote a number on a piece of paper and handed it to me. I was supprised. I told him it was a generous offer for a mounthly salery. He said no, it was annual salery. I said we didn't have much else to talk about and left. One of the BSC grads can have that job. "

MDIV wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:46 AM:

" Our daughter graduated from BSC's process plant program 10 years ago, having begun in their Phoenix Program. Graduates of these programs have an excellent reputation in the field & the top 4 women in the program that year, our daughter among them, were recruited by an out-of-state oil company the semester before graduation. She makes good union wages, owns her own home, built a good life for herself & her family, & has risen steadily through the ranks by being a good, reliable worker. My husband & I chose to sell our home & leave our jobs in ND to follow her out-of-state to better paying jobs elsewhere. We miss friends & extended family in ND, but have better wages, a better standard of living, & can be with our grandchildren as they grow up. "

patriot wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:14 AM:

" To Opinion Letter: You assume that even "legitimate news stories" have no bias? That is not true in North Dakota Media, in any city. TV or newspapers in North Dakota rarely seek out "both sides".

For evidence I refer you back to the Kent Conrad/Countrywide story. "

patriot wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:17 AM:

" tl: Your problem can be summed up in your last sentence: "But my average don't stand out because in the classroom they work on a grading curve,which isn't fair to me." Why weren't you the "A" student ruining the curve?

First, take responsibility for your actions, LIFE isn't fair, the younger you realize this, the more successful you'll be. Despite what Barack Obama says, no one owes you a job and no one is going to -or should- hand you one with your "victim" attitude. You need to earn it.

Now put your chin up, get a positive attitude so you can explain to a potential employer all the reasons you'll be a GREAT employee, and go out there and work your butt off. "

opinion letter wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:12 AM:

" Keep in mind people, this is a letter to the editor. It is not a news story. It is a one-sided opinion. No state power plant employers were interviewed to say they do or do not hire college graduates. No higher education professionals were interviewed to give statistics. Many of the posters here talk about what North Dakota was like when they graduated five, ten, even 20 years ago. Since they've graduated, the energy industry has exploded--which explains the investments our state and power plants continue to make. Before jumping on the band wagon to believe opinions from one bitter college instructor who should probably be canned for sending such a negative message to impressionable students (or from bloggers who had bad experiences 20 years ago), perhaps we should consider this is an opinion piece and not a factual news story until all sides are heard. "

targa wrote on Jul 10, 2008 5:13 AM:

" I don't feel too sorry for the young people. I too graduated from bsc with a power plant degree. My first job was instate at a ethanol plant for a year then in a oil refinery out of state. 3 years later i am working in nd at DGC. You can say there are better paying jobs out of state, but take it from someone that has been there, the cost of living will kill you, you are only surviving in the bigger cities and such. With the wages in nd and the cost of living in coal country, you would be hard pressed to make a better living overall. "

That is Life wrote on Jul 9, 2008 10:14 PM:

" Perhaps if you would have been called out in tee ball or been allowed to fail in life a few times before reality set in you ( and by you I mean anyone whinning about not getting a job) would have been prepared for the fact that in life there are winners and losers. If you want to be a winner you find a way to do so and if you are satisfied being aloser then you really are on! "

patriot wrote on Jul 9, 2008 6:11 PM:

" For any of the kids whining about not getting jobs, have you tried Minot or Williston? They are so desperate for workers if you are a warm body, can fog a mirror (and maybe pass a drug test) you're golden. And could likely get some great experience. "

tl wrote on Jul 9, 2008 5:33 PM:

" I recieved my Power Plant degree in 2003, and have yet been able to find employment locally. I was a A- B student who took online courses( which are by far harder) In my courses I had ten minutes to complete the tests, which meant I had to memorize the book, literally. In the classroom the tests are easier and there is no time limit. I busted some serious tale to achieve my grades,If I had taken my classes in the classroom I would have easily walked away with an (A) if not a perfect 100 percent. But my average don't stand out because in the classroom they work on a grading curve,which isn't fair to me. "

tony T wrote on Jul 9, 2008 5:13 PM:

" I think most of you are missing the underlying point here. Wev'e seen news on tv and the paper now about the plants looming retirements and high paying salaries. The represenatives from local plants donating money to BSC energy center over retirement concerns and worker shortages. BSC gladly excepting the money and expanding (which there is nothing wrong with). Politicians getting involved, acting like they had something to do with this great job creation and expansion of the local college campus. Hurry hurry go to power plant school they are hiring. There is a shortage of workers for these high paying jobs.With all of these things ocurring its easy to see why some students and there families
decieved. when they get done with school can't get a job and are stuck with a student loan. You still have to leave state.

It would be nice to have some concrete numbers on the amount of people hired directly from school to work in a plant. The only way to get those are from the HR departments from the plants or maybe even BSC.

Good luck to all you students finding a job. If you really want one in the field you will find one some where. "

tony T wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:39 PM:

" The headline says it all. More than likely you will not get hired when you get out of school. That goes for both operations and maintance students in the bsc program.
Where i work they have hired 20 operators in the last year and a half, all former ND working out of state with bsc degrees and two or more years experience. 20 maint workers have been hired in the same time frame. Only 2 came right from bsc, Both new someone who currently works here. When applications come to the plants they usally have a hundred or more with experience looking to come backto ND. To the students at Bsc, the only places in ND that seem to hire right out of school are dakota gasification, and ethanol plants. Keep your grades up
employers do look at them.

I feel the only way the power plants will hire right from school is if there is a new plant built, or in about 5 more years when there is a mass exit from them. You almost always have to leave the state to get a job . If you sit around with with your
degree and wait to get hired, good luck you will never get one. "

tired of this wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:17 PM:

" I am in the technology field. I went on many MANY interviews and was told time and time again that they wouldn't hire me because I had no experience. I worked my way up the ladder in retail instead since they were the only ones willing to give me opportunity. I feel that I am a very good worker, with talents that have yet to be tapped. I hold a job in a minor technology position right now. The curiosity is starting to get the better of me and I am entertaining the idea of moving out of state. I know for sure I would probably make at LEAST double if not triple what I am making now.

I like living in North Dakota. I'm not one of those bored young adults that need the latest and greatest entertainment that the big cities have to offer. If I can't score a job here for what I am worth, what am I to do? Where are the help and resources? These politicians can make these claims of all the jobs that they magically created, and introduce more programs to teach students but where does that help people like me? I am a college graduate with credentials, and I cant seem to snag anything worth my time. HR departments do whatever they want plain and no one can force them otherwise. "

rs wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:16 PM:

" hey! to those of you in ND that think there is no one smarter~get a life! There are plenty of qualified and experienced people out there and you do not have to be from here~ welcome to the real world people! "

wolfmanjack wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:01 PM:

" An education does not entitle anyone to a job. The issue stated is that employers are not hiring employee's right out of college. I found myself asking what employee would I want, a fresh college grad or a college grad that has applied the need knowledge and wants to return home? By far and away the ND educated grad. that took the initiative to go elsewhere to hone their skills and return home. As an employer, the quick start these people give me would only enhance my business. with a ND education and experience. Tough choices make for good debate. "

Bismarcker wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:55 PM:

" My son too completed the course and was never able to find a job at all. It's ridiculous that they won't hire native North Dakotans. He's now been out of school so long that he doesn't feel he knows it anymore and still paying his student loan off. "

Big Guy wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:41 PM:

" I also 100 percent agree with Power Plant Worker's comment. I too know people hired out of school lately at all those places, so this opinion story isn't at all true. Also before the big turnover at the plants with the retirements, they just hired a person or two here and there so that is probably why more people that worked out of state got hired, but that is starting to change once again. So keep on applying and keep those grades up students! "

Big Guy wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Oh and you guys saying "its not what you know, but who you know" is not true. I didn't know anyone at the place I got hired when I moved back. I do know they go by your grades in school and attendence records and I was even told my hand writing on my application came into it too. There were over 2,000 people that applied for 2 open positions when I got hired so they really have to narrow it down. "

Big Guy wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:21 PM:

" I have been through this. I finished process plant school 10 years ago and had to work out of state for awhile. These places at least bring people back home to our state, when I got done with school they weren't hiring around here. Plus you can tell a person with experience vs. one just out of school. But everyone has to start somewhere and I am not against them hiring straight from school. Moving out of state got me to appretiate ND alot more than I did before and I am glad to be back working at a power plant in operations. But I do know people who did finish school and got a job right here in ND lately, with all the ethenol plants and such. "

True wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:06 PM:

" To kk: That is a good point!! It is who you know not what you know! That is pathetic! All the time and money put into school and can't even find a job because a person does not know anyone working at one of these big companies in town. And these 30,000 jobs, RETAIL and FOOD chains are not gong to keep graduates with a four year degree here. "

ND Grad wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:01 PM:

" The one thing about our state is that they always say they are trying to keep people in ND. Well my question is how!! I was watching the news one night and they interviewed people who have left and are now back in ND working. Why even let them leave? Maybe instead of interviewing those people get working on a way to help out our recent college graduates find a job and not leave the state. To do this Employers need to start hiring graduates right out of college. Why push the young ones away. These places want to hire expierence, I can understand that, but how do they expect these young people to get expierence
when it is not offered to them. Maybe ND needs to understand that is why people leave this state. The college graduates need to start somewhere and they should have that oportunity to do so in their home state. "

patriot wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:52 PM:

" This isn't true. My brother was hired at one of the plants with an engineering degree straight out of NDSU. And paid him wages comparable with all the out of state companies he was also being recruited by. His experience prior to college? He was a high school farm kid, nothing different than many other ND kids. I guess I would have to say "Stop whining." "

dave wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:02 PM:

" I think people should leave the state, there is a great big world out there. It will give a person a better perspective on life. "

kk wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:27 PM:

" hey! quit crying and talk to the HOEVEN about all of these 30,000 jobs that he says he brought to ND!!! And by the way~ just because you are from here DOES NOT give you the right to be hired~ try coming to this state and getting a job!!! IT is the good old boys club through and through~ I noticed that all of the politicans and commissioners and all have their wives in great jobs as well as their best friends and kids~ the saying"who you know NOT what you know" is the truth here! "

lutefisk wrote on Jul 9, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Perhaps the students should do a little homework before they start on a career path and find some of these things out first. Not the state's problem if the demand is for experienced people in one role or another. There are other industries that are looking for the exact opposite. These technical careers are also a great way to get into good paying jobs quickly, but that decision will catch up to that person as they realize they are trained to do one thing the rest fo their life and don't have opportunities for advancement without a 4 year degree. "

Deb wrote on Jul 9, 2008 11:37 AM:

" I think it's a good thing these kids have to leave the state to get some experience. A business will only progress and thrive if it is constantly scrutinized by those with outside experiences and expertises. And on a cultural note, the people who have to leave the state will bring back better knowledge of the world around them - which can only enhance their community as well as their world view. "

CJ wrote on Jul 9, 2008 11:03 AM:

" My husband graduated from the Process Plant program at BSC over 20 years ago, and was hired right out of school by DGC. My neighbor's son just completed the same program in April, and was also hired by DGC, as well as a fellow classmate, right out of school without experience. I know they were both told when they started that they would have to leave the state, but I think that trend is changing as a result of the booming energy industry and many of the older workers nearing retirement. It's getting tougher for companies to insist on experience when they are in need of workers. "

POWER PLANT WORKER wrote on Jul 9, 2008 11:02 AM:

" WELL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I FINISHED THE POWER PLANT PROCESS COURSE IN 2003. i Was told the same thing when i was going through the course. I didn't like it at all either. I just thought to myself that they wanted experience then i will go get some and come back to north dakota to work. I ended up out of state for 4 years. I am now working at a power plant in North Dakota. I will tell you that times are changing. These power plants are hiring people right out of school. I could name a number of people that minnkota, leland olds, dakota gas and antelope valley havin hired in the last two years coming right out of school. If your daughter has experience all she has to do is apply. These plants are not able to hire everyone right out of school. "

Shannon wrote on Jul 9, 2008 10:57 AM:

" I am 31 and have been out of college and out of ND for 8 years, it is well known no matter what career path your taking that if you are young there are little opportunities in North Dakota. You pretty much have to wait for someone to retire or die to get a professional job. If you do your wages will be limited which is difficult when you are trying to pay back school debt. I have found though no matter where I live and apply for jobs, I get bonus points when they hear I am from North Dakota as "we are known for our good work ethic". Would be nice if we could get that same credit on our home turf. "

investment wrote on Jul 9, 2008 10:30 AM:

" With the money the energy industry is putting into the BSC campus I would think that the trend will change. Last year I heard a coal country rep stated that the new grades are less likely to move to the city the plant is in where as older workers are moving to Center, Hazen etc... this is another concern in the hiring process. "

viscious cycle wrote on Jul 9, 2008 10:09 AM:

" How do you get a job to build the specific experience HR wants when no one will hire you to give you that experience because you'll take it and go get a better job? Employers are not impressed by two years in a retail place -- somehow you're supposed to miraculously get companies to take pity and hire you before graduation these days or you won't be considered for an entry-level job. Apparently this is a greater problem in ND than anywhere else if our college grads are getting hired outside the state....? "

Emily Yanish wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:43 AM:

" To Jones--People would hire the "inexperienced 21 year old" because then the would have the chance to hire an employee that can become a loyal employee for the next 30 or 40 years. With the shortage in workers that is expected, I would think any intelligent HR worker would take this into consideration! "

jetcity wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:33 AM:

" What really irks me is our state government develops these college programs to train our workers for ND industries but then the industries dont hire them. Yet they want young people to stay here? To rs- as an 'NDer' I have never gotten a job by who I happen to know. Maybe you didnt get the job for reasons other than being from out of state. "

Came back Wanna leave wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:09 AM:

" It's not just power plants, it's every industry. I tried hard to land something worthwhile here in ND after I graduated from UND. I ended up going to MN to build my resume for 8 years before getting an opportunity to come back to ND to make less than half as much money. I just attended my 20th high school reunion and found that very few have left and come back...they've just left and only come back to visit every 10 years. "

The Guy wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:02 AM:

" To Jones and Why Not: Your thinking is what is driving younger folks out of the state. Companies need to invest in training younger folks. If the companies do a good job of hiring and training they will be well a head 3 years down the road. It takes time and patience, two things lacking in today's business world. "

rs wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:56 AM:

" who cares? ND won't hire out of towners so how does it feel??? If your kids aren't qualified then too bad~ no sympathy here~ NDers are so used to getting jobs because they are married or related to the boss so welcome to the REAL WORLD~ if you aren't qualifed~ you aren't getting the job~ take your own medicine for once "

MamaMia wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:48 AM:

" A friend of my children completed this program and had to go to California to get some experience before he could come back to North Dakota to get a job. He did that and now is back here working in his field. Not all will come back, unfortunately. "

My Opinion wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:39 AM:

" And we wonder why our young people leave the state? Here is a perfect example. "

BSC Grad wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:35 AM:

" they will more than likely make more than they would in ND which isn't all bad. I left ND after completing HVAC school at BSC as the opportunities and money were much better out of state. "

JT wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:32 AM:

" That so sucks cause a lot of those power plant people will be retiring shortly and they are going to need those workers. ND always complains about loosing thier young - well maybe they should hire them then! "

Why not wrote on Jul 9, 2008 7:56 AM:

" If one has the opportunity to hire a candidate with experience versus one without, why wouldn't one hire the experienced candidate? That would apply to all professions, not just the power plants. "

Jones wrote on Jul 9, 2008 7:15 AM:

" Think about it Jean - Why would an employer hire an inexperienced 21 year-old worker out of college when they can hire a mature experienced worker? It would make no sense to hire your daughter when there are better employment candidates out there. You will find the same is true no matter what field you are in. It just happens there is a greater supply of power plant workers than demand for them. I'm pretty sure there is no conspiracy against your daughter like you might think, it's just simple economics. "

get real people wrote on Jul 9, 2008 6:19 AM:

" What you think that any business in North Dakota is going to hire a new grad? Give me a break. Jirst off if you look at the busines world in the great state of ND. You will find that most of the top paying jobs are held by out of staters. The State Goverment doesn't even hire a true North Dakotan for a Dept head unless there is no chioce. I know this sounds bad. I went to NDSCS after I injuried my back and had two surgies. I was told in several classes that I would not get a job in ND. They were right. I had tow have two years min off experince. Guess what I got a low paying job just to support wife and kids. The state wonders why people are leaving. While here is one reason. WATCH UP NORTH DAKOTA. We have alot of smart young people that will work hard. Yet, no one is ready to give them the jobs. "

DVD maker wrote on Jul 9, 2008 4:38 AM:

" I too have heard this. My son is in his second year. We would like for him to stay in the state. Hopefully with the projected turnovers coming, things will change. "

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