A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:
Work is an important part of personal
fulfillment. True, most of us work because we must – to provide for ourselves and our
families – but a job nevertheless gives us purpose. And when it’s work we enjoy
that pays enough, well, that’s the goal.
Unfortunately, many young people are
struggling to find enjoyable, well-paying work. Some lack a degree or formal
training – perhaps they went straight into the workforce after high school or
started a program they didn’t finish. Even those who have degrees, though,
often still have trouble finding meaningful work. For instance, of those who
have a four-year degree, only 36 percent say their education prepared them for
a job and more than half of recent graduates are unemployed or
underemployed.
It’s not for lack of jobs. According to
U.S. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, we now have more job openings than job
seekers in America. A number of these jobs are higher paying, higher-skill jobs
in areas like health care, cybersecurity and manufacturing. Unfortunately those
looking for work often do not have the skills needed for these good
jobs.
The Western Governors’ Association has
spent the last year studying this “skills gap,” holding webinars and workshops
all across the West to identify solutions. This week as my term as chair of the
Western Governors came to an end, I hosted my fellow governors in Rapid City
where we released our report on
workforce. The report lists ways states can enhance career opportunities
for students, graduates and displaced workers.
The recommendations include integrating
state efforts, increasing the availability of training, expanding broadband
access in rural communities and connecting education to careers. We need to
ensure a degree isn’t the destination but a pathway to a job. That means
providing students with better information and guidance so they can explore
careers and make enlightened decisions about their futures. One way we’re doing
this in South Dakota is through a pilot program called Career Launch. This
program involving ten school districts pools resources to provide more career
counseling and give students hands-on experience.
For example, in Yankton, many high
school seniors plan their schedules so that their traditional classes are
compressed into half a day – morning or afternoon. During the other half of the
day, the students work at a paid internship with a local employer. Each student
receives high school credit, is paid at least $11 an hour, gains exposure to a
career field and learns foundational skills – like how to arrive on time, dress
appropriately and interact with customers and coworkers.
During my first term, I would often
say, “Workforce is a marathon, not a sprint.” But now, as I’m nearing
the end of my time as governor, I am realizing it’s actually more
like a relay race. Over the past seven years, we have initiated several
strategies. Some have worked, some haven’t and some remain to be
seen.
