Creating sustainable workforce pathways remains a priority for rural health care organizations across South Dakota. Through funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Network Development Grant awarded to the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) in 2023, the South Dakota Rural Workforce Network (SDRWN) was established to support collaborative workforce solutions among rural health care organizations. While many facilities recognize the value of career development opportunities such as Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), SDRWN members have identified limited capacity as one of the greatest barriers to implementation. Developing apprenticeship programs, navigating registration requirements, maintaining compliance, and completing ongoing reporting can be challenging for rural health care facilities already balancing many competing priorities. To help address these challenges, SDAHO is piloting a Registered Apprenticeship Group Sponsor model designed to reduce administrative burden while expanding workforce development opportunities for participating facilities.
The pilot will focus on a Medical Office Professional (MOP) Registered Apprenticeship Program, registered under the occupation title Medical Record and Health Information Technician/Medical Coder. The apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job learning with related technical instruction, allowing participants to continue working while advancing their skills and knowledge. Apprentices complete required coursework online through Mitchell Technical College (MTC) outside of working hours while gaining hands-on experience in the health care setting. A key component of the apprenticeship model is the one-to-one relationship between the apprentice and an experienced journeyworker mentor, providing individualized guidance and support throughout the program. This structure allows apprentices to immediately apply newly acquired knowledge and skills in a real-world health care environment while continuing to earn a paycheck.
Registered apprenticeships also create opportunities for individuals whose personal, family, work, or financial circumstances may make a traditional educational pathway difficult. By allowing participants to earn wages while they learn, apprenticeships provide a flexible approach to professional development that combines education, mentorship, and real-world experience. This model helps reduce barriers to career advancement and creates accessible pathways into health care professions and specialty occupations. SDRWN believes in creating opportunities for rural South Dakotans to advance their careers and professional growth so that health care organizations across the state can build and sustain a highly skilled workforce prepared to provide the highest quality care to patients and communities.
Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics, a member of the SDRWN, is serving as SDAHO’s first pilot site. As the Group Sponsor, SDAHO will assist participating facilities with program registration, required reporting, document preparation, compliance activities, and coordination with apprenticeship partners. SDAHO will also support facilities in identifying and applying for available reimbursement opportunities that may help offset apprentice and journeyworker wage costs. By assuming these administrative responsibilities, SDAHO allows participating facilities to focus on what they do best: providing high-quality on-the-job training, mentorship, and skill development for their apprentices. Through funding provided by the HRSA grant, participation in the pilot is currently available at no cost to SDRWN member facilities.
This initiative would not be possible without the partnership and support of both the StartTodaySD program through the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (SDDLR) and Mitchell Technical College (MTC). Throughout the planning and development process, StartTodaySD has provided critical technical assistance, guidance, and expertise to help ensure compliance and alignment with U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship standards. Their support has been instrumental in helping SDAHO design and launch this pilot. Mitchell Technical College serves as the related instruction provider for the apprenticeship, delivering the online curriculum and educational component of the program. Apprentices enrolled in the program have access to the same academic resources and student support services available to other MTC students, creating a comprehensive learning experience that blends classroom instruction, hands-on workforce training, mentorship, and personalized support to help them succeed academically, professionally, and personally.
The collaboration between the SDRWN, SDAHO, StartTodaySD, and MTC has created a strong foundation for this pilot and future apprenticeship opportunities across South Dakota.
Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices will earn a diploma from Mitchell Technical College as well as a Registered Apprenticeship certificate, a nationally recognized credential. Graduates will also be eligible and prepared to sit for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) examination, creating additional opportunities for professional advancement. While the current pilot focuses on the Medical Office Professional pathway, SDAHO hopes to leverage lessons learned to explore future apprenticeship opportunities for other critical health care occupations, including Medication Aide, Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, and additional career advancement pathways.
The long-term vision is to evaluate the success of the pilot and explore opportunities to replicate the Group Sponsor model with additional rural health care facilities across South Dakota. By creating a scalable approach to registered apprenticeships and reducing administrative barriers, SDAHO hopes to make workforce development opportunities more accessible to rural health care organizations while strengthening local workforce pipelines throughout the state.
Facilities interested in exploring registered apprenticeship opportunities are encouraged to connect with the StartTodaySD team to learn more about available resources and how apprenticeship programs can support workforce development efforts within their organizations.
SDRWN, SDAHO, StartTodaySD, Mitchell Technical College, and participating rural health care facilities are working to create innovative pathways that support career advancement, strengthen the rural health care workforce, and improve access to quality care for South Dakotans.
Interested in learning more?
- To learn more about SDAHO’s HRSA-funded South Dakota Rural Workforce Network (SDRWN), click here.
- To explore Registered Apprenticeship resources or connect with the StartTodaySD team, click here.
- To learn more about Mitchell Technical College’s Medical Office Professional program curriculum and admission requirements, click here.
Funding Acknowledgement
This publication was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,150,097 with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
