RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) – 140 students signed their commitments to join the Build Dakota Scholarships program, attending Western Dakota Technical College with tuition paid for by sponsoring companies. After graduating in two years, these students will go on to work for those companies, filling high-demand jobs and remaining in the state of South Dakota for the first few years of their careers.
90 of the signees are heading into Western Dakota Tech’s nursing programs, and some of the remaining 50 will move into medical technician roles.
“We have a national healthcare shortage with nurses,” said Monument Health Director of Talent Resources Sarah Blenner.
Blenner said it’s challenging to find enough nurses, and this is true for more hospitals than just Monument Health. Rural areas, in particular, can often struggle to recruit medical personnel.
With Build Dakota Scholarships, companies are investing in the future of the students they sponsor. With some young South Dakotans seeking professional opportunities elsewhere, this program incentivizes sticking around.
According to Western Dakota Tech Assistant Director of Scholarships Andrew Kapelewski, the first ten years of Build Dakota scholarships have yielded effective results.
“We communicate directly with our industry sponsors,” Kapelewski said. “And they are telling us it’s helping to fill a need.”
The next round of applications for Build Dakota Scholarships will commence January 1, 2025. To find more information, visit the Build Dakota Scholarships website.
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