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UpSkill Program Options
SD UpSkill was created to help people open doors to new career paths, especially those affected by the pandemic. Eligible certificate programs are designed to help build workforce in South Dakota’s most in-demand fields.

Agriculture
Construction
Finance
Health Science
Human Resources
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation
Eligible Certificates
Each year, eligible certificate programs may change as the demand for careers does. For Fall 2022, eligible certificates are outlined at the state’s technical colleges below. Deadline for Fall 2022 semester is Friday, Aug. 5. (Individuals are eligible to apply to the technical college and DLR at any point for consideration of financial assistance for future semesters.)
SD UpSkill Fall 2022 Certificates by Cluster
For classes that fill up, a wait list may be available. Prospective students also may be able to apply at this time to be considered for the next available semester.
Lake Area Technical College |
Cluster | Certificate |
Agriculture | Agriculture | |
Finance | Accounting | |
Banking | ||
Health Science | Community Health Worker | |
Emergency Medical Technician | ||
Human Resources | Human Resources | |
Information Technology | Networking | |
Programming | ||
Manufacturing | Manufacturing | |
Precision Machining | ||
Welding | ||
Transportation | Commercial Driver's License |
Southeast Technical College |
Cluster | Certificate |
Health Science | Allied Health | |
Certified Nursing Assistant | ||
Emergency Medical Technician | ||
Phlebotomy Technician (full for Fall 2022, wait list may be available) | ||
Information Technology | Computer Support | |
Web Programming |
Western Dakota Technical College |
Cluster | Certificate |
Construction | Plumbing | |
Health Science | EMT/Pre-Paramedic | |
Phlebotomy | ||
Transportation | Truck Driving |
Am I Eligible?
UpSkill eligibility depends on factors like income, if you’ve been laid off from a job or if you have a disability. Participants must be authorized to work in the United States, reside in South Dakota, must score a 235 or higher on the ACCUPLACER® as determined by the technical college, and meet DLR's eligibility requirements for financial assistance:
- Eligibility as identified in Occupational Skill Training Policy 5.27
- Eligibility scenarios including:
- Single Parent
- Long Term Unemployed
- Native American/Hawaiian Native/Alaska Native
- 55 and older
- Homeless
- Substance Abuse
- Underemployed
- Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker
- English Language Learners
- Within two years of exhausting TANF
- Veterans and Eligible Spouses who are NOT included in the priority groups 1 or 3
- Displaced Homemaker (Displaced Homemaker will be served under the Dislocated Worker Program)
- WIOA Title I Dislocated Worker
- WIOA Title I National Dislocated Worker
- WIOA Title I Youth

Getting Started
Upping your game with SD UpSkill is easy. It all starts with finding the certificate program that’s right for you. Then:
- Apply to the technical college that’s offering your certificate of interest.
- A DLR representative will get in touch if you’re eligible for UpSkill.
- Once we contact you, you’ll complete UpSkill orientation to get tools, training and career coaching right away.
Deadline for Fall 2022 semester is Friday, Aug. 5.
Find your Career Path
With so many options out there, it’s easy to imagine what’s possible. If you need help exploring career paths, programs and your career interests, we’re here to help.