New Automation Lab Addresses Engineering Shortage
Border States has launched an Automation Innovation Lab at the University of North Dakota in collaboration with ECN Automation and the university’s College of Engineering and Mines, according to reports. The facility, which opened in time for the fall semester, represents a significant investment in engineering education and regional workforce development.
Bridging the Skills Gap in Manufacturing
The initiative originated from a regional manufacturing council’s efforts to leverage university resources to solve challenges faced by local manufacturers. Sources indicate that companies throughout the region have struggled to find qualified engineers capable of maintaining and optimizing automated systems.
“The common thread was that if there was an automation device or system that needed repair, reprogramming or optimizing, there weren’t necessarily locally trained and talented engineers who could help establish and further automate some of their pieces of equipment,” said Kevin Rusk, director of business development at the College of Engineering & Mines, according to the report.
Hands-On Learning Experience
Border States and ECN provided equipment to the facility at UND’s Grand Forks campus, creating what analysts suggest will be a valuable training ground for students pursuing careers in automation and manufacturing technology.
“This setup gives students a unique opportunity to complement their education with practical experience, helping build early connections to the world of automation and preparing them for successful careers in the industry,” said Border States Sales and Account Management Director Ahmad Khosti in a statement.
Regional Economic Impact
The partnership between the university and industry leaders aims to create a pipeline of engineering talent that could benefit the broader manufacturing sector. The report states that similar initiatives have shown success in other regions facing comparable workforce challenges.
Fargo-based Border States, which reportedly ranks No. 20 on ID’s 2025 Big 50 list, has demonstrated commitment to supporting border states economic development through educational partnerships. The collaboration comes amid broader industry developments in automation technology and workforce training.
University officials recently held a grand opening ceremony for the lab, marking the culmination of planning efforts that began through regional manufacturing council discussions. The facility represents one of several recent technology education initiatives designed to address specific industry needs while providing students with relevant, practical skills.
Looking Forward
The Automation Innovation Lab joins other related innovations in engineering education that combine academic instruction with industry experience. As manufacturing continues to evolve with advancing automation, sources indicate such partnerships will become increasingly important for maintaining competitive market trends and addressing specialized workforce requirements.
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