
A KOTA Territory college will soon offer course work in a field expected to grow 34% over the next ten years.
This fall, Rapid City's Western Dakota Tech will offer new diploma programs in HVAC and plumbing technology.
The course will last nine months and Western Dakota Tech is now accepting applications for the program.
Western Dakota Tech President Mark Wilson says "the programs will give students the skills they need to be successful in careers that are in demand."
And local businesses are excited about the prospects of more young and skilled workers.
"It's hard for us to find good, young, qualified, people for us to do our work for us anymore because we are getting old. And it's a major step for western South Dakota to have this in Rapid City," said Myron Tatum, a co-owner of Action Mechanical.
In 2010, the median annual wage for someone working in HVAC and plumbing fields was $42,000.