Overview
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BUSINESS DATA

EDUCATION

When it comes to education, South Dakota is wired for success. Not only does South Dakota have the highest percent of high school graduates in the nation, we are also the only state to have virtually every school wired for Internet access. And when it comes to computers, South Dakota has the highest computer to student ratio.

In the Black Hills, education doesn't end with high school. This region is home to two state universities, a technical institute and several private colleges.

Rapid City Area School District

The Rapid City School District, second largest in South Dakota, is dedicated to providing students equal access to an excellent educational program which results in their becoming responsible citizens who know how to learn, how to value life-long learning, and how to cope with life in a changing society.

With an enrollment of 12,914 students, the district encompasses over 419 square miles. It consists of 16 elementary, five middle schools, and three high schools. The district provides multi-faceted educational opportunities through regular and special classes, and also through Community Education programs and extensive after-school co-curricular activities.

Douglas School District

The Douglas School District consists of Badger Clark Elementary, Carrousel Preschool, Douglas High School, Douglas Middle School, Francis Case Elementary and Vandenberg Elementary.

It is located in western South Dakota on the edge of the Black Hills and serve approximately 2400 Kindergarten through 12th grade students from Box Elder, Ellsworth Air Force Base, and the surrounding rural area.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City

Relevant work experience. That's what companies are looking for and that's what they get from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology graduates. Located in Rapid City, the School of Mines specializes in engineering and science degrees. More than 85 percent of all School of Mines have gained real work experience through internships and co-ops before graduating. In an alumni survey, over 90 percent indicated they would return to the Black Hills if positions were available.

• Enrollment: 2,347
• 31 degrees at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels
• More than 60 percent of the students enrolled at the School of Mines hold a job, creating a labor pool of nearly 1,400

Western Dakota Technical Institute

Western Dakota Tech, the technical institute serving the western South Dakota region, is located in Rapid City. WDT offers 25 programs in a variety of fields, including Business, Construction Trades, Health Services, Human Services, and Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades. More than 95 percent of WDT graduates are placed in careers within six months of graduation, and more than 88 percent live and work in South Dakota. WDT focuses its efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDT students graduate ready to make real and immediate contributions to their employers and to their communities.

The Corporate Education Center offers a variety of training programs and classes for area businesses and industries. The Corporate Education Center trains more than 3,000 people a year through scheduled classes at WDT and through customized training delivered on site. The Corporate Education Center customizes training programs to meet individual business needs, uses only qualified, experienced trainers, and brings the training to a business location.

For more information, contact:

Career Learning Center

The Career Learning Center of the Black Hills (CLC), an affiliate of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, offers a variety of education, training and employment services. Experienced career counseling staff assists individuals of all ages in determining what area of employment fits their interest, aptitude and skills. Education and training services at the CLC include basic education, GED preparation, English as a Second Language, basic and advanced computer training, and medical billing and coding. Financial assistance may be available for education and training opportunities through the CLC. The CLC also offers parenting education and developmental screening for babies, age birth to three years. Finally, the Career Learning Center has the largest community education program in the state of South Dakota with over 100 class offerings each fall and spring. Please visit our web site at www.clcbh.org to learn more about the education, training and employment services offered through the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills.

Black Hills State University, Spearfish

Business and technology training has really taken off at Black Hills State University. In addition to its traditional business major and technology major, Black Hills recently added a four-year degree in applied technical science and two-year programs in network and web administration. The university also has significant course offerings in education and the liberal arts.

• Third largest university in the state system
• Enrollment: 3,846
• More than 90 majors, minors and study options are available
• 21 pre-professional programs
• Master's degrees in tourism as well as in curriculum and instruction.

National American University

National American University is a private multi-campus institution with 14 campuses throughout the United States, including a distance learning program that reaches learners throughout the world. The home campus, which encompasses intercollegiate athletics and a residence hall, is located in Rapid City, South Dakota. NAU offers graduate, bachelor, associate, diploma, and certificate programs in business, accounting, athletic training, management, veterinary technology, and information technology, with a wide variety of emphasis areas such as webmaster, Microsoft network management, e-commerce, marketing and pre-law. Students gain practical experience both in and out of the classroom. NAU offers a multicultural experience in the Black Hills with nearly 20 percent of its student body being international. NAU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

• Enrollment: 2,341
• The majority of National American University students hold full or part time employment. Many of the Rapid City students remain in the Black Hills region upon graduation and contribute significantly to both local businesses and the community

Training

South Dakota Workforce Development Program

The South Dakota Workforce Development Program is an opportunity to extend training and educational resources so that South Dakota employers will be provided with a well-trained and skilled workforce.

Training is provided in conjunction with an educational institution approved by the Workforce Development Coordinator. Technical instructors, curriculum materials, instructional materials and equipment are available through the coordinating educational institution to help deliver quality programs.

Companies are expected to work with the coordinating agency in developing the project. Companies may participate in trainee selection, curriculum development, project implementation, and project and trainee monitoring and evaluation.

The program supports three types of training:

1. New employee skills training for new or expanding businesses.
2. Current employee retraining to prevent trainee dislocation and to make the company more competitive.
3. Current employee upgrade training to provide promotional opportunities for the trainee.

Training is customized to meet the needs of the individual employer using appropriate training methods. Training may occur on-the-job in productive activity, or training may occur in a classroom setting. Some training may involve a combination of both methods.

The program supports up to one-half the total cost of training with participating companies providing a dollar for dollar cash or in-kind match for jobs that result in an after-training wage of $8.00 or more per hour.

For questions, please contact:

Governor's Office of Economic Development
711 East Wells Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 800-872-6190
Email: goedinfo@state.sd.us

The Corporate Education Center

The Corporate Education Center offers a variety of training programs and classes for area businesses and industries. The Corporate Education Center trains more than 3,000 people a year through scheduled classes at WDT and through customized training delivered on site. The Corporate Education Center customizes training programs to meet individual business needs, uses only qualified, experienced trainers, and brings the training to a business location.

For additional information, please contact:

Patsy Schmidt, Associate Vice President
The Corporate Education Center
Phone:(605) 394-4034 ext. 150
Email: pschmidt@wdti.tech.sd.us

Career Learning Center

The Career Learning Center (CLC) assists individuals develop realistic career goals through comprehensive career counseling. In addition, a customized skill training program housed at the CLC provides in-depth training for individuals pursuing careers as an administrative assistant or call center representative. Other customized skill training programs can be developed to meet the needs of business and industry on an as-needed basis.

For additional information, please contact:

Rapid City Career Learning Center
Phone: 605-394-5120
Email: gpluimer@clc.tie.net