DSU touts vocational career training programs

Mar. 10—DICKINSON — Dickinson State University has some exciting new technical education programs in the works. Chip Poland, a DSU professor and chairman of the Agricultural and Technical Studies Department, said he's thrilled about the school's new and existing vocational education programs. DSU already offers extensive training for

agriculture,

nursing, nursing assistants and

welding.

In a previous interview, welding student

Dawson Moore

explained the program is very comprehensive.

"So it's like all the positions: overhead, flat, horizontal and vertical. And then we learn it with all of the different mig, stick, arc, oxyacetylene," Moore said.

This fall he said the school will have new offerings to teach meat processing and diesel tech. The diesel technician certification will entail a two year associate's degree. The meat processing program is designed to be taken over two semesters, 2-3 nights weekly as an add-on to an existing university student's course load.

"There's a set of courses that we envision being taken in the fall here that would include some hands-on meat cutting in our new facility. And then that would be followed by an internship with a local company that's sort of geared towards the interest of the student,"

He said this could mean working with businesses that slaughter animals, make jerky or sausage, and even retail or wholesale processing. He added that it will be scheduled to maximize learning opportunities for the entire community.

"So we envision that to be sort of a late afternoon evening kind of program that can fit around a typical college student's schedule," Poland said, adding that this will also allow for enrollment of those working full time jobs and high school students who are upperclassmen. "Again, it'll be limited enrollment because the space isn't huge. But we see positive things about students that are interested, as well as businesses that are looking for students who have that skill set."

Kenley Nebeker is executive director of Train ND Northwest at Williston State College. He helps oversee the school's Commercial Driver's License training program, which they've also offered at DSU on alternating months for nearly two years now.

During that four week program students learn how to drive with a heavy load, securing those loads and driving with a high center of gravity. They also work through hazardous materials training. If a student feels ready after week 3, they can take the CDL test.

"It's really kind of built to move with the student and their needs," Nebeker said.

He added the occupation is currently in high demand and opportunities are lucrative, especially in this half of the state.

"Nationwide it's a major concern. Truck drivers make everything move. Getting whatever it is you ordered off Amazon within a decent time, that doesn't happen without truck drivers... The industry is facing a major, major shortfall in workforce," Nebeker said. "Most truck drivers coming into the oil patch, you're going to be making anywhere between $90,000 — $120,000 starting out."

Southwest CTE Director Aaron Anderson said things are running smoothly with DSU's facilities at the CTE campus. These include shops for their welding and diesel technician programs.

"We're excited. We'll have, you know, a high school program right next door to a college program. So it's a great opportunity to collaborate and share resources, as well as transition a student to the post secondary level. So it's kind of a seamless way to keep our kids here," Anderson said. "There's a huge demand right now for workers here, skilled workers here in southwest North Dakota."