Rapid City, S.D. – The Western Dakota Tech Foundation announced today that it has secured a new grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation. The funding will support the foundation’s Catapult Stakeholders group, a coalition of educators, business leaders and economic‑development officials working to create clear career pathways for residents of western South Dakota.
Building bridges between classrooms and careers
According to Fawn Wilde, director of community and educational partnerships at Western Dakota Technical College, the grant will enable the coalition to deepen connections between the college’s training programs and the hiring needs of regional employers. “Interest in this effort continues to grow as organizations across the region work together to address workforce needs,” Wilde said.
The Catapult Stakeholders group already includes representatives from a range of industries, and the recent addition of two new leaders underscores the coalition’s expanding reach. Weston Chapman, owner of Black Hills Tire, and Colleen Bsharah, a senior career development consultant at Sanford Health, have joined the group’s core leadership team.
Focus on sustainable careers
The grant will fund activities that develop “workforce pathways” – structured routes that guide residents from education through training to stable, well‑paying jobs. College officials say these pathways are designed to match local labor‑market demands, ensuring that graduates have the skills employers are actively seeking.
By bringing together leaders from manufacturing, health care, transportation and other key sectors, the coalition hopes to create a coordinated system that reduces skill gaps and supports long‑term economic growth in the region.
Community impact
Local leaders view the initiative as a vital tool for retaining talent in western South Dakota. With a focus on practical, hands‑on training, the program aims to give residents access to sustainable careers without having to leave the area for employment.
“When we align education with real‑world job opportunities, we strengthen families, uphold the dignity of work, and honor the values that make our communities thrive,” Wilde added.
Looking ahead
The foundation plans to use the grant to expand outreach, develop new training curricula, and host regular forums where educators and employers can share insights. As the coalition grows, its members expect to see measurable improvements in job placement rates and overall economic vitality across western South Dakota.
For more information about the Catapult Stakeholders initiative or to get involved, contact the Western Dakota Tech Foundation.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
