Talent & Workforce Initiatives
A thriving economy depends on a strong, skilled workforce—and that starts with both growing local talent and attracting the best from beyond our borders. Through education partnerships, business collaborations and programs that connect students and professionals to opportunity, Forward Sioux Falls is creating a talent pipeline that meets today’s needs and anticipates tomorrow’s challenges.
Talent Attraction
Talent Draft Days
Talent Draft Days will create more opportunities for direct contact between companies and trade and technical schools, community colleges and four-year institutions within a 150-mile radius of Sioux Falls by immersing them in available employment opportunities.
Talent Tours
Talent Tours introduce students to businesses through tours of Sioux Falls area companies, introducing them to high-demand industries and jobs.
Talent Rebound
This initiative expands outreach to alumni of all higher-ed institutions who have moved away from South Dakota and connect them with residents and businesses in Sioux Falls to inspire them to move back.
Intern Sioux Falls
Intern Sioux Falls connects businesses with student talent by promoting internship opportunities in Sioux Falls, helping companies attract and retain future employees while showcasing Sioux Falls as a vibrant place to live and work, fostering long-term workforce development.
Online Recruitment
This initiative focuses on strategic markets to attract top graduates and recruits in key industries, including bioscience, cybersecurity/intelligence, advanced manufacturing, logistics/distribution and technical trades.
Talent Retention
Forward Sioux Falls will partner with South Dakota State University to support this healthcare focused hub, offering specialized programs and training to prepare students for careers in healthcare, strengthening Sioux Falls’ talent pipeline.
We’ll continue to expand the Healthcare Simulation Center programs at Southeast Technical College to meet growing workforce needs. Forward Sioux Falls will also support construction trades and advanced manufacturing by investing in cutting-edge equipment, larger workshop and lab spaces and immersive, hands-on training experiences.
Career Connections partners with local businesses from a variety of industry sectors to provide career exploration, mentorship and financial assistance to high-potential, at-risk high school juniors and seniors to access concurrent dual-credit coursework, setting them on a course for skill development and employment.
UPSKILL Sioux Falls provides employee training and development in high-demand and hard-to fill occupations.
The biannual WIN in Workforce Summit leverages the best practices of local companies.
Your Future STEM targets regional middle and high school students to engage in career exploration in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
REACH Literacy supports the expansion of the workplace literacy program.
The USF Bridges supports the University of Sioux Falls English Language Outreach initiative for adults, designed to integrate reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, contributing to a more inclusive and skilled workforce in the region.
Forward Sioux Falls Partners
Measures of Success
- 60,000 students and employees involved in Talent and Workforce Programs
- 200 unique employers involved in talent and workforce programs
- 10 ongoing talent & workforce programs
- 1,500 apprenticeships/internships/job shadows
- 5 targeted workforce marketing campaigns
- 150,000 unique visits and 25,000 employer-card clicks on siouxfalls.com
- 40% more healthcare-focused graduates entering the workforce
- 10% more students enrolled in Healthcare Simulation Center programs
- 25% more construction trades and advanced manufacturing graduates entering the workforce
More Initiatives
Economic Development
Forward Sioux Falls fuels regional prosperity by fostering business growth and creating an environment where companies want to put down roots, keeping the region a top destination for relocation and expansion.
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Startups, community projects and high-tech industries find the support they need here to innovate, grow and create high-quality jobs.
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Advocacy & Community
Through advocacy, infrastructure improvements and community initiatives, Forward Sioux Falls makes the region a vibrant place to live, work and do business.
Learn MoreOur Investors
The businesses and individuals who contribute to Forward Sioux Falls directly impact the region’s economy, workforce expansion and business development. Now, more than ever, the community must work together to create future opportunities for businesses and individuals.
