Workforce Pell Skilled Trades programs in South Dakota
Hands-on building, repair, and installation work that has to be done on site. The Workforce Pell Grant can cover short, 8–15 week training — up to $4,310 a year, with nothing to repay. Median pay runs about $51k.
Check my eligibility →To be approved for Workforce Pell, a skilled trades program in South Dakota generally has to show that at least 70% of students finish and get a job that pays enough to justify the cost. The bar is high and the early list is short — which protects your one-time Pell eligibility.
Skilled Trades programs in South Dakota
Welding Certificate
Lake Area Technical College
10–18 wks · $2,000–6,500 tuition · $51k median pay · completion data pending
Welding Certificate
Mitchell Technical College
10–18 wks · $2,000–6,500 tuition · $51k median pay · completion data pending
Auto / Diesel Technician
Oglala Lakota College
10–18 wks · $2,000–6,500 tuition · $51k median pay · completion data pending
Welding Certificate
Southeast Technical College
10–18 wks · $2,000–6,500 tuition · $51k median pay · completion data pending
Welding Certificate
Western Dakota Technical College
10–18 wks · $2,000–6,500 tuition · $51k median pay · completion data pending
Questions about skilled trades and Workforce Pell in South Dakota
Does the Workforce Pell Grant pay for skilled trades training in South Dakota?
It can. Workforce Pell covers short-term skilled trades programs that South Dakota approves and that meet the federal quality bar. Approval is set per program, so confirm a specific program's status with the school — the South Dakota list is still being finalized for 2026.
How much will skilled trades training cost me with Workforce Pell?
These programs commonly run about $1,000–$6,500 — once. Workforce Pell is built to cover that, averaging about $2,200 in aid (up to $4,310/year), so many students pay little or nothing out of pocket. Your FAFSA sets your exact amount.
Is Skilled Trades a good field to train for?
Hands-on building, repair, and installation work that has to be done on site. Median pay is around $51k, and it's the kind of work AI can't run a wire through a wall or braze a joint that holds.