On August 4, 2021, the Department of Labor and Regulations (DLR) and Board of Technical Education announced the deadline to apply for the UpSkill program has been extended to Aug. 17, 2021. The DLR and Board of Technical Education are partnering to provide eligible individuals occupational skills training through the state’s four technical colleges.
Nineteen certificates are available and designed as primarily 18-credit programs to be completed by Spring 2022. They are available online, in-person, and via hybrid formats. Credits earned from certificate programs can integrate with associate and bachelor’s degree programs at public institutions across the state. Healthcare certificates include, Community Health Worker, EMT/pre-paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Medical Information, and Phlebotomy.
UpSkill certificate programs are available for people who have obstacles to overcome to secure employment. Eligibility criteria vary and can include being laid off from a job, being low income or having a disability.
All applications begin at the technical colleges. Individuals interested in participating should contact the technical college offering the certificate program of interest. For contact information, visit SDUpSkill.com.
UpSkill is funded through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief fund as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.
