How Gov. Kristi Noem is investing in South Dakota apprenticeships

Gov. Kristi Noem wants to invest in apprenticeships for businesses statewide.

And with an announcement Tuesday that the state and the Department of Labor and Regulation will invest $7.94 million of state funds during three years to help businesses develop new and expand existing apprenticeship programs, the second-term Republican governor is doing just that.

"What we're doing here today is making sure that we have the training opportunities for our businesses to take advantage of to get people into apprenticeship programs that will give them the license and the career that they're looking for," Noem said at Howe Inc. in Sioux Falls.

Currently, there are 1,000 active apprenticeships in the state at 150 businesses that offer the program.

Marcia Hultman, the Secretary of Labor and Regulation who was at the announcement Tuesday, said the program will be customizable for the employer.

"In recent years, we have been working diligently to establish a framework for increasing apprenticeships," she said. "Now with this funding, we will be able to expand on our efforts in a way that makes sense for South Dakota businesses and those seeking training."

As part of the program, businesses wishing to sponsor apprenticeships can receive up to $15,000 in funding. Current apprenticeship sponsors can receive up to $10,000.

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Because of the costs businesses take on when they start an apprenticeship program, such as hiring another employee to run the program or buying tools and equipment needed for the program, and the lack of federal funding, Noem said those were contributing reasons as to why apprenticeships in the past had not been successful in South Dakota.

"South Dakota has never made an investment like this before in apprenticeship programs and it will pay big dividends," she said. "This won't only be a solution to our workforce challenges, but it's going to be a major tool in helping people became all that they've ever dreamed for."

Noem said it wouldn't just be plumbers and electricians who would receive apprenticeship funding. Other industries include cosmetology, real estate and teachers, all of which require licenses to do work.

By having the announcement at Howe Inc., it also gave the plumbing and heating company time to highlight their own paid apprenticeship program.

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Dan Erikson, a fire protection service manager at Howe Inc., said he completed a self-paced apprentice program in fire protection systems that helped him step into the manager role five years after he started working in the field. He was also able to design the now state-recognized fire protection apprenticeship program at Howe Inc.

"Instead of a self-paced apprenticeship program, we actually have a program that we help guide them through with classroom, hands on and on the job training that will help them further their careers," he said. "It has come full circle for me to be able to have completed the apprenticeship program and now 10 years later, I'm able to help build and teach the program here."

It's the latest in a series of workforce-related issues Noem has tackled

Noem also took action Monday to open up state government jobs to those without postsecondary degrees.

Through the executive order, the Commissoner of the Bureau of Human Resources will review all current and future job postings for executive branch agency positions that require either a undergraduate or graduate degree. The commissioner will then determine if the degree is necessary to perform the job duties.

Job postings will state whether a degree is required, according to the order.

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The order also requires the state employees doing the hiring to consider the applicant's work or life experiences, including workforce expertise, registered apprenticeship programs, career and technical college certificates or degrees and military service.

“I took classes for many years, but I did not graduate with my bachelor’s degree until I was already a member of Congress,” according to a statement from Noem. “Not having a postsecondary degree didn’t hold me back, so I hope that qualified, dedicated South Dakotans can have those same opportunities.”

Noem's also signed legislation in March recognizing out-of-state occupational licenses.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How Gov. Kristi Noem is investing in South Dakota apprenticeships