Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) is proud to announce the latest graduates of its Class A Professional Truck Driving program. These skilled individuals are now well-prepared to help meet the growing demand for skilled truck drivers.
Each graduate received a Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country scholarship, generously sponsored by the company to support the development of a strong local workforce and address the shortage of qualified CDL drivers.
The Class A Professional Driving Program graduates and their South Dakota hometowns are:
- Ethan Kelley – Rapid City
- Alex Kocanda – Summerset (Completed Certificate program)
- Tyler Puckett – Rapid City
Those interested in the Class A program are encouraged to register now for the five-week course starting June 16, as the program fills quickly and enrollment is limited.
Course information is available at wdt.edu/CDL. To register or for more information, call the Corporate Education Center at (605) 718-2410, or email corped@wdt.edu.
In the South Dakota Department of Labor July 2024 Top 30 Hot Careers report, one of the top "Hot Career" listed is "Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers". The list is based on factors including "projected annual openings greater than the average across all occupations for 2022-2032" and "an average/mean wage greater than the median wage across all occupations in 2023". The S.D. DOL projects annual openings for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, from 2022-2032, to be 897. The average annual wage in 2023 was $56,710.
Western Dakota Technical College's Corporate Education Center offers short-term classes, custom training, events, seminars, career programs, and more to help companies train employees and help students be successful in new and current careers. For more information, visit https://www.wdt.edu/corporate-education-center.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO CUTLINE:
L-R: Tyler Puckett, Alex Kocanda, and Ethan Kelley.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers more than 40 programs in various fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Technical College's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military per the WDTC 2023 Placement Report. There were 353 respondents out of 399 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDTC students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
