(a) An employer subject to hiring requirements under this chapter may request the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to assist in locating qualified, eligible employees. After receiving a request for assistance, the department shall refer qualified, eligible, available residents to the employer to fill the employer's hiring needs. The employer shall cooperate with the department.
(b) If the department is unable to refer a sufficient number of qualified, eligible, available residents able to perform the work, the commissioner of labor and workforce development may approve the hiring of residents who are not eligible for preference and nonresidents for the balance of the request.