Hoeven Announces Youth Forward Initiative

Press Release

Governor John Hoeven today announced the establishment of a new North Dakota Youth Office designed to invite young people to stay in North Dakota and to incorporate existing youth-related programs under one office. The Youth Office, part of the North Dakota Department of Commerce under Commissioner Shane Goettle, is part of a broader movement called Youth Forward designed to encourage young people to build their future in North Dakota. (www.youthforward.com)

The Governor also announced appointments to a new Youth Council comprised of North Dakotans ages 17-24 and four legislators from all areas of the state. The Council, established by the Legislature and chaired by Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple, will focus on identifying challenges facing North Dakota youth relating to jobs, healthcare, recreation, education or other major issues. The Council will also help lead the Youth Forward movement and serve as advisors to the work of the Youth Office.

"With our growing and more diversified economy, we have a good opportunity to make a case for young people to build their future in North Dakota," Hoeven said. "Youth Forward is an effort to take all of the existing career awareness and youth-oriented programming and provide a gateway for young people who want make their home and leave their legacy in North Dakota."

The Governor has charged the Youth Office with spearheading Youth Forward and has outlined four specific goals:

1. Improve awareness among young people of promising North Dakota careers.
2. Identify needs and gaps in existing youth programs and activities.
3. Leverage the expertise and increase cooperation between people who are currently providing programs to youth.
4. Establish a statewide "home," or clearing house, for information and services for young people and a process for youth input.

At Hoeven's initiative, the state Commerce Department has increased outreach to young people through Operation Intern, Career Awareness and WebfairND programs, and Hoeven said the Youth Forward initiative is an extension of that work.

"Through our workforce development efforts, we've fostered relationships with others who are targeting youth," Goettle said. "Youth Forward aims to bring all of these groups that have similar objectives together with the ultimate goal of persuading more and more young people to live and work in North Dakota."

Goettle invited all state agencies, private sector and non-profit organizations with programs that serve youth to join this alliance.

Spearheading Youth Forward and the Youth Office is Kayla Effertz, who manages the Operation Intern and Career Awareness programs at the Department of Commerce.

"We will aggressively reach out to young people in a variety of ways but especially through the use of virtual tools and social networks where young people are already interacting every day," Effertz said. "These tools make young people more accessible than ever."

Effertz envisions this office serving as the place where partners leverage each other's expertise and insights gained from working with youth and the people who influence youth such as parents and educators. Ultimately, the movement will successfully highlight the opportunities that North Dakota offers so the choice to live in North Dakota is an easy one for young people.

Source