Labor Department awards $140K to expand apprenticeships

PIERRE – The Department of Labor and Regulation has awarded $140,000 to expand the number of registered apprenticeships programs in South Dakota.

Businesses, registered apprenticeship sponsors, and education and training providers could apply for up to $10,000 in incentive funding to help offset the initial start-up costs when developing a new program.

Priority was given to programs designed to increase engagement for under-represented populations, such as females, Native Americans, limited-English proficient individuals, youth ages 16 to 24 and individuals with disabilities.

Fourteen businesses were approved for the following occupations and received $10,000 each:

• Angelhaus: behavioral health aide

• Howe Inc.: fire sprinkler fitter

• HRMC: information technology specialist

• Independent Health Solutions: community health worker

• Lester Robbins: concrete construction laborer

• North American Drainage: trench technician, equipment operator, ag construction contractor

• River City Transit: Driver, CDL and non-CDL

• Roger’s Pharmacy: pharmacy technician

• Rosenbauer America: paint technician

• Rosenbauer America: welder

• Stems LLC: specialty crop farm worker

• Temperature Technology, Inc.: electrician, HVAC service technician

• Venner Farms: farm worker

• Wheeler Manufacturing: press shop technician

For more information on apprenticeships, visit StartTodaySD.com.