North Dakota’s Department of Career and Technical Education is partnering with Lake Region Community College of Devils Lake for an internship program.
CTE director Wayde Sick said the agency was awarded just under a half-million dollars in a state apprenticeship expansion grant through the US Department of Labor. He said the money was sub-granted to Lake Region with the purpose of expanding “non-traditional” apprenticeship programs.
"When we think of apprenticeships, we think of electricians, we think of plumbers, we think of bricklayers, things like that," Sick said. "We're looking at how this can be a viable education program for any occupation."
Sick said Lake Region has been focusing on information technology, cyber security, as well as apprenticeship programs in health care, for nurses and others."
Sick said another part of this program is to try to attract students that may have barriers to employment.
"We're looking at partnering with the tribal colleges, to let them know apprenticeships are viable options for education and training, for our Native American population, which traditionally has had high unemployment rates," Sick said.
Sick said these are paid internships.