Cancel
Cancel

Western Dakota Technical College Learn. Do. Now.

Apply Now Schedule a Tour Visit Us Request Info Chat Online

News

WDT student awarded Ryan Prince Memorial Scholarship

Andrea Barth of Rapid City, a WDT student in the Law Enforcement program, has received the $200 Ryan Prince Memorial Scholarship.

Family and friends of Ryan Prince established an annual memorial scholarship for WDT's full-time, first-year Law Enforcement students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher. This award is for students who demonstrate financial need and maintain good standing at WDT. These scholarship funds are to assist with expenses associated with the purchase of the uniform required for WDT's Law Enforcement students.

Western Dakota Tech is the only technical institute that serves the western South Dakota region. WDT offers more than 20 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction Trades, Health Services, Legal and Public Services, Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades, and Science and Technology. More than 96 percent of WDT's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or serving in the military, and 90 percent remain in South Dakota.

WDT 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, WDT students graduate ready to make real and immediate contributions to their employers and their communities.

For information about WDT, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu. Visit WDT on the web at www.wdt.edu.

Read More

WDT student awarded American Welding Society Scholarship

Shellie Clyde of Rapid City, a student in WDT's Welding program, has received a $300 American Welding Society NW Section Scholarship.

The American Welding Society (AWS) Foundation is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities to students preparing for a career in the welding and related joining technologies. Each year, the AWS NW section provides scholarship opportunities to assist students with their education.

Western Dakota Tech is the only technical institute that serves the western South Dakota region. WDT offers more than 20 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction Trades, Health Services, Legal and Public Services, Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades, and Science and Technology. More than 96 percent of WDT's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or serving in the military, and 90 percent remain in South Dakota.

WDT 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, WDT students graduate ready to make real and immediate contributions to their employers and their communities.

For information about WDT, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu. Visit WDT on the web at www.wdt.edu.

Read More

WDT creates transfer agreement with University of Sioux Falls

Western Dakota Tech graduates can now enter the University of Sioux Falls to finish their bachelor's degrees under a new agreement between the two schools.

WDT grads can transfer up to 64 credits to USF and apply them towards an accelerated Degree Completion Program (DCP) major in Accounting, Management or Entrepreneurial Studies. Students can complete their DCP bachelor's degrees in Sioux Falls or online. They may also choose from USF's 35 traditional, undergraduate majors.

"WDT students want options," campus President Mark Wilson said. "While the majority of our students go directly into careers related to their education, some want to pursue additional degrees. Agreements like this give students more opportunities to create the futures and lives they want."

LuAnn Grossman, the director of USF's accelerated Degree Completion Program (DCP), agrees.

"Our goal at USF is to help Western Dakota Tech grads finish their bachelor's degrees through a seamless transfer to USF," Grossman said.

"DCP, for example, was specifically created for adults who want to complete their bachelor's degrees while still working, raising families or pursuing other interests," Grossman said. "DCP makes it possible for them to do this by taking classes just one evening a week or online for less than two years."

WDT's programs are focused on preparing students for the workforce. WDT 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, WDT students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities. More than 96 percent of WDT's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education or serving in the military, and 90 percent remain in South Dakota.

For information about the agreement and WDT, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu. Visit WDT on the web at www.wdt.edu.

USF offers a private, Christian liberal arts education to students from all walks of life. The University offers more than 35 undergraduate majors, 9 pre-professional programs, DCP and graduate programs in business and education. For information about USF, visit www.usiouxfalls.edu or call (605) 331-5000.

Read More

WDT is closed Friday, January 11

Due to the weather, WDT is closed Friday, January 11.

Read More

WDT to begin programs in HVAC and Plumbing

Western Dakota Tech is addressing the needs of the workforce by starting new diploma programs in HVAC Technology and Plumbing Technology.

WDT is now accepting applications for the nine-month programs. Classes will begin in the fall 2013 semester that begins in August.

"Skilled employees are needed in these fields," WDT President Mark Wilson said. "These programs will give students the skills they need to be successful in careers that are in-demand."

Both programs have been designed with industry input so the courses will provide the skills students need.

Graduates of the HVAC Technology program will be able to:

  • Design residential and light commercial central heating and air conditioning systems

  • Install, troubleshoot, and repair residential and light commercial heating and air conditioning equipment

  • Design, fabricate and install forced air and hot water distribution systems

  • Install a wide range of oil and gas boilers and forced-air furnaces

  • Design, fabricate, and install home and light commercial ventilation systems, including both exhaust and fresh air make-up exchangers


Students also will prepare for and take the universal HVAC certification exam so they are qualified to handle all types of refrigerant.

Graduates of the Plumbing Technology program will have skills in:

  • Piping techniques and procedures

  • Plumbing and piping systems

  • Residential and commercial system installations

  • Blueprint reading and isometric interpretation


Employment trends in both career fields show that jobs are available now and will be in the future as the need for trained technicians grows.

Employment of HVAC mechanics and installers is expected to grow 34 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. The growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems is also expected to increase demand for qualified HVAC technicians.

The median annual wage of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $42,530 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,490, and the top 10 percent earned more than $66,930.

Employment of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters is projected to grow 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for plumbers is expected to come from new building construction and stricter water efficiency standards for plumbing systems, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads.

The median annual wage of plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters was $46,660 in May 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,580, and the top 10 percent earned more than $79,920.

Western Dakota Tech is the only technical institute that serves the western South Dakota region. WDT offers more than 20 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction Trades, Health Services, Legal and Public Services, Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades, and Science and Technology. More than 96 percent of WDT's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or serving in the military, and 90 percent remain in South Dakota.

WDT 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, WDT students graduate ready to make real and immediate contributions to their employers and their communities.

For information about WDT, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu. Visit WDT on the web at www.wdt.edu.

Read More

By Year

By Month:

WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE MISSION
Western Dakota Technical College prepares students to be highly-skilled professionals through accessible, career-focused programs to improve their lives, while adapting to community workforce needs and positively impacting our economy.

Join the Conversation

Connect with Western Dakota Technical College

facebook logo instagram logo snapchat logo x logo youtube logo 

Website Powered By PageFramer, Development By Robert Sharp & Associates