Workforce development continues to be a critical issue in South Dakota as employers struggle to find qualified workers to fill skilled positions.  Governor Dennis Daugaard has announced that the state is going to partner with T. Denny Sanford, the owner of First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, to provide full scholarships to students studying to enter high-need workforce programs.  He says the scholarship will incentivize young people to learn the needed skills debt free…

 

Sanford donated $25 million to fund the Build Dakota scholarships, and the governor has committed to match that donation in Future Funds to provide 300 full scholarships, which he says will benefit businesses across the state that cannot currently fill jobs…

 

A board appointed by the Governor will determine high need workforce areas, and award the scholarships.