View the 2022-2023 annual report (PDF) to learn more.
In Gov. Kristi Noem’s Sioux Falls visit Tuesday, she announced an investment of nearly $8 million over the next three years in apprenticeship programming.
Noem stated the $7.94 million funding of apprenticeships will help fill open positions and encourage people in the state to think of jobs and fields that they may not have considered before.
“We have open jobs, and we don’t want to be disqualifying people based on their resumes,” Noem said.
Noem highlighted South Dakota’s unemployment rate of 1.9 percent.
“Not only is that the lowest unemployment rate that the state of South Dakota has ever had in history, we believe that it is the lowest unemployment rate that any state has ever had in history,” Noem said.
She also said South Dakota has 25,000 open jobs that may or may not require a license or specific skillset.
She argued that, while positive, a low unemployment rate and a high number of open jobs correlate with greater housing challenges, childcare challenges, and similar needs that must be met for working families to thrive. One step the state can take in minimizing barriers is offering training in workforce skills through more apprenticeships.
According to Noem, about 3,000 jobs will be needed in South Dakota every year through 2030. Growing apprenticeship programs will help fill these jobs while allowing people to pick up practical skills and develop problem-solving skills.
Funding will go toward apprenticeships in nearly any field that requires a license to work in South Dakota, including plumbing, electrical work, teaching, cosmetology and real estate.
Noem argued that apprenticeships have not been successful in South Dakota in the past because of a lack of consistent funding — at the state level, but mainly at the federal level — and the burden that apprenticeships put on employers who have to make financial commitments to run the programs. She said this funding will help employers establish those apprenticeships. Businesses will be able to partner with team members from the South Dakota Department of Labor to define and develop apprenticeship programs that work for the employers.
To learn more about the scholarship, explore buildakotascholarships.com and read the full news article from the Mitchell Republic.
View the 2021-2022 annual report (PDF) to learn more.
The “Build Dakota Roadshow” is an event sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation and the Yankton Thrive organization. The roadshow consists of 30-minute interactive assemblies at eight area schools for students and parents to learn ways the program can connect them with training, employers and jobs — at no cost to them.
To qualify for the scholarships, students must attend a high-need career program at one of the state’s four technical colleges, and in return, students agree to work in that field in South Dakota for three years.
To learn more about the scholarship, explore buildakotascholarships.com and read the full news article from the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan.
The seventh cohort of Build Dakota Scholarship Fund students will begin classes this month, helping to fill the gap of essential workforce needs for South Dakota. The Build Dakota Scholarship
In January 2021, Governor Kristi Noem announced an additional $20 million in continued support of the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund, securing funding for the program for another five years.
“The state’s commitment to the Build Dakota Scholarship is one of the best examples of how government can partner with private business to make real change in our state,” said South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. “As more and more businesses look to South Dakota to escape overregulation and high taxes, the Build Dakota Scholarship will allow our workforce the chance to train and meet the needs of our growing economy.”
Over 70% of scholars are backed by an industry partner, meaning these students are guaranteed a job upon completing their degree. Industry partners provide a match with scholarship dollars. In return, students commit to working for the industry partner for three years following graduation. With workforce recruitment challenges facing businesses across the state and nation, Build Dakota offers security and stability for businesses who invest in their workforce through the industry partner program.
“As we enter our seventh year of offering Build Dakota Scholarships to young people, I think we have even more momentum than we did when we announced the program,” said Build Dakota Chairman Dana Dykhouse. “This scholarship is moving the needle for South Dakota employers and helping create successful careers for our state’s workforce.”
Each technical college manages their own industry partner program, working with local businesses and economic development organizations to find future employment opportunities for Build Dakota scholars in high-need workforce areas. This cohort is supported by over $2.6 million in funding from industry partners like Sanford Health, Fiegen Construction, CHS and many more.
“Our industry partner program has allowed more scholars to be awarded these scholarships, through a match program,” said Deni Amundson, program manager for Build Dakota. “Scholars with an industry partner are guaranteed a job after graduation, and the industry partner has a steady stream of highly trained employees.”
“Year after year, we have a very high level of interest from both students and industry partners wanting to utilize the Build Dakota scholarship at Southeast Technical College,”
said Southeast Technical College President Robert Griggs. “This program has changed the narrative about technical education in our state, and I’m excited to see continued growth and partnerships.”
View the 2021-2022 Build Dakota Scholarship recipients.
To learn more about the Build Dakota Scholarship and find details on how to become an industry partner, visit BuildDakotaScholarships.com/Industry-Partners.
Read the full article here.
Read the full article here.