Dakota Wesleyan University was recently awarded a $12,000 Community Innovation Grant through the South Dakota Community Foundation.
The funds will provide students with a laptop to use at work and on campus while enrolled in the Learn & Earn program to be delivered in Pierre this fall.
DWU partnered with the Pierre Economic Development Corporation, the Capital City Campus, BankWest and others to develop the Learn & Earn program. The program allows students to experience a hands-on-real-world simulation of the job place. It offers a defined path to completion of professional credentials, an associate or bachelor’s degree. After the first four months, students work in their paid internships two days a week, while earning professional credentials. After eight months, the internship increases to three days a week with students spending two days at Capital City Campus. This entire program can be accomplished in 16 months.
“Everyone is struggling to find well trained workers to fill vacancies”, said Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “This program offers one solution that is a win-win for both employers and people who welcome relevant, on-site training and education. The SDCF was proud to award Dakota Wesleyan University with a grant to support this effort.”
Community Innovation Grants are offered in partnership with the Bush Foundation and focus specifically on supporting community problem-solving projects. Sixty-three applications were submitted in Round 1 and fourteen resulted in securing funding.
“The value of an educated, available workforce cannot be overstated. The need for on-site college programming has been evident in Pierre for many years,” said Fredel Thomas, DWU vice-president of admissions and marketing. “DWU and its partners are committed through the Learn & Earn program to serve students and businesses and industries into the future. By providing a laptop as part of enrollment in the program, a significant cost burden will have been removed from the student, one more possible barrier to success. Many thanks to the South Dakota Community Foundation for their support.”
Learn & Earn program classes will begin Aug. 23 at the Capital City Campus in Pierre.