Are you ready for a 58% capacity gain? Stop chasing fires. Stop being overwhelmed. Stop letting your most valuable employees spend their time on low-value tasks. AI isn't coming for your job—it's coming to GIVE YOU YOUR LIFE BACK! 

In an effort to help manufacturers with their workforce issues, Impact Dakota is launching the Impact Dakota Artificial Intelligence Academy (IDAIA). This eight-week AI Blackbelt Training and Certification Program will redefine workforce capacity in North Dakota. We've held two webinars introducing the IDAIA, below is a link to the recording; we invite you to take a look. 

If you're interested in attending the inaugural sessions of the IDAIA, we invite you to complete the IDAIA Interest Form. Filling out the form doesn't commit you to any sessions—it simply lets us know you'd like to receive updates when training opportunities and additional information become available. 

Impact Dakota AI Academy (IDAIA): Proven results. Guaranteed efficiency. Transforming North Dakota’s workforce.

Manufacturing Day / Faces of Manufacturing Celebration

The 2025 Faces of Manufacturing Honorees were celebrated on October 10th, with a luncheon at the North Dakota State Capitol. Honorees had the pleasure of a special meet and greet with North Dakota Lt. Governor, Michelle Strinden. In addition, Lt. Governor Strinden joined Impact Dakota, Greater North Dakota Chamber, Economic Development Association of North Dakota, and North Dakota Chamber of Commerce partners for a photo with the 2025 Manufacturing Day Proclamation signed by North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong. 

WEBINAR

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT'S COMING? 

By November 2025, important CMMC requirements will begin appearing in DoD solicitations. Enforcement will scale from 2026 through 2028, and contractors who don’t comply risk losing contracts entirely. Our November 5th webinar connects the dots:

How IC3 data supports the need for controls like MFA, encryption, and backups

Which level of CMMC applies to your business

Why investing in compliance today builds long-term resilience

Register below to stay ahead of compliance deadlines.

WEBINAR

It is estimated that nearly 200,000 service members transition to civilian life every year. Veterans are a vital part of North Dakota’s workforce, making up 7.4% of the population. These individuals are cross trained in multiple skills and have experience in many tasks making them a valuable asset to any organization. Despite this, many veterans continue to face barriers when entering the workforce and employers are often unsure how to translate military experience to the job requirements. This webinar will provide information about the benefits veterans can bring to your organization and industry and the programs available to help you navigate this integration.   

We are pleased to have the support and sponsorship from the ND State SHRM Council. Those attending the live webinar will receive 1 (one) SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits. 

See the attached flyer for more information and to register for this event. We look forward to having you join us on November 6th.

Kristi and her care partner sister have a couple of passions. One is Elvis. Their apartment has a life-size cut out of the King of Rock and Roll greeting people as they enter. Other trinkets decorate nearly every corner of the room.

At North Dakota Assistive, we work with people like Kristi every day, providing expertise to people who can use assistive technology to overcome whatever challenges they’re facing due to a limitation, including those that come naturally through the aging process. 

This week’s highlight is the Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP), offering grants for employers and regional partners to address workforce challenges across North Dakota. The RWIP grant supports regional workforce entities in North Dakota in developing and implementing innovative, locally led solutions to address workforce challenges.

November 5
Future-Proofing: Cybersecurity Strategies for 2026 and Beyond

November 6
Veterans Employment Webinar: Beyond the Uniform

November 12
Using AI for Marketing - Workshop

December 17
IndustryEdge: CNC Concepts - Bridging Engineering and Manufacturing 

February 16
Females in Robotics

In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, manufacturing companies face a whirlwind of challenges—rising costs, global competition, supply chain disruptions, and rapidly evolving technologies. Amid this complexity, one element remains a constant driver of success: clear, well-defined strategic objectives.

Calling All Female Robotics Professionals: Inspire the Next Generation!

Bismarck State College (BSC) is seeking female professionals working in the field of robotics to present at a day camp on Monday, February 16, 2025. This event is a crucial initiative designed to encourage more young women to explore and pursue careers in technology and manufacturing, and we need your expertise and inspiration!

By presenting, you'll provide a vital, visible role model, directly showing high school students that a career in robotics is achievable and exciting for women.

A special invitation to ND Manufacturers from the Iowa MEP Center Director 

CNC Concepts - Bridging Engineering and Manufacturing is taught by ISU faculty to provide a foundational bridge between what engineers were taught and what they really need to know when designing parts and processes in the CNC world. This is especially useful for companies that are considering bringing CNC products back to the U.S. or bringing it in house. 

Impact Dakota has expanded and launched the North Dakota Supply Chain Connectivity Program. 

This is a national initiative from NIST MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) designed to significantly help North Dakota Manufacturers link together to build local and regional suppliers and potentially customers and thereby strengthen North Dakota manufacturing. 

— Open Opportunities —