Governor Kristi Noem office along with the SD Department of Labor and Regulations (DLR) released a press release earlier this week announcing additional funding for the state’s Apprenticeship Programs. The announcement provided details on additional financial assistance for businesses and apprentices to develop new and expand existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The effort will invest $7.9 million over three years to administer apprenticeship grants.
This recent announcement comes on the heels of SDAHO’s Post-Acute Partners in Care Conference, where the Apprenticeship Program took center stage during a session titled “Growing our Own: Healthcare Workforce Strategies to Attract the Next Generation.” Tara Bartekoske with the SD Dept. of Labor and Regulations, along with representatives from Freeman Regional Health Services, the Freeman School District, and Ava Anderson a student at Freeman High School all shared their experience with the Apprenticeship Program. Ava is part of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Freeman Regional Health, “Before I got involved with the apprenticeship program, I had no interest in working in healthcare. Now that I have been learning to become a CNA at Freeman Regional, I know I want to work in healthcare, and I want to come back to Freeman after college.” shared Ava.
Additional funding means new sponsors can receive up to $15,000. Current sponsors expanding current programs can receive up to $10,000. Recipients of these awards will receive technical assistance from DLR as they register or expand services.
“Registered apprenticeships provide South Dakota businesses with a proactive strategy to engage individuals in their communities and improve skill sets to meet their workforce needs,” said state Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. “Now is a great time for businesses to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Governor Noem also shared her thoughts during the announcement made last week at Howe, Inc, in Sioux Falls. “South Dakota has the lowest unemployment rate in America, but we still have workforce challenges to address,” said Governor Kristi Noem. “Apprenticeships will provide South Dakotans the opportunity to gain valuable on-the-job training while continuing to earn an income and provide for their families.”
DLR will host a Registered Apprenticeship Program webinar to provide an overview of these resources and answer commonly asked questions on Wednesday, May 10 from 2-3 p.m. CDT. Employers, registered apprenticeship sponsors, and education or training providers looking to build or expand programs are encouraged to apply for financial assistance before June 2, 2023. Visit StartTodaySD.com for more information.
