Recently, the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund received a $50,000 grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation to support continued workforce development efforts. The funds have been allocated to each of the state’s four technical schools to provide additional funding for full-ride student scholarships.
“During the first five years of the Build Dakota Scholarship Fund, the program successfully recruited over 1,900 skilled employees into critical fields of workforce shortage in South Dakota,” said Stephanie Judson, President/CEO of the South Dakota Community Foundation. “Given the workforce challenges we are seeing today, we feel that this investment will have a ripple effect in our state and add to the tremendous success the program has already generated.”
The $40,000 was disbursed to the state’s four technical colleges to provide more Build Dakota Scholarships to students seeking degrees in high-need fields. The remaining $10,000 will be used to pilot a matching grant program. SDCF Community Savings Account partners can utilize program funds to sponsor students as industry partners for jobs in their communities.
“The technical colleges have done a fantastic job of promoting industry partnerships with local businesses and economic development organizations, and we are thrilled that the South Dakota Community Foundation is investing dollars to generate more industry partnerships on behalf of their partners,” said Deni Amundson, Program Manager for Build Dakota Scholarship Fund.
Industry partners provide a match with scholarship dollars, allowing for more students to receive funds each year. In return, students commit to working for the industry partner for 3 years following graduation.
“The scholar has a sense of job security, and the industry partners have a steady stream of talent trained in the field they are seeking employees. It’s truly a win-win scenario,” said Amundson.
To learn more about the Build Dakota Scholarship and find details about the application process or industry partner programs, visit http://www.builddakotascholarships.com.