SDRoads2Jobs
Build Your Career in Construction
The South Dakota Construction Industry Needs You
We are looking for hard working, reliable people who want to work in roadway construction, grow their skills, and advance their future. More than 800 construction positions are currently open across South Dakota. Entry level and experienced workers are needed, and apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities are available.
EXCELLENT PAY & BENEFITS
The highway construction industry offers great pay, benefits, and steady work. Many companies provide hiring incentives.
JOB SKILLS
Many employers are willing to provide training to give unskilled laborers an opportunity to become skilled laborers.
LIFELONG CAREER
The highway construction industry enables people to pursue a wide range of career opportunities that allow workers to advance.
Why should you choose a career in the construction field?
Average Wages in South Dakota
- Contract Laborer: starting at $14-$18 an hour with benefits, experienced workers earn $18-$22 an hour
- Concrete Finisher: starting at $16-$21 an hour with benefits, experienced workers earn $24-$35 an hour
- Heavy Equipment Operator: starting at $16-$21 an hour with benefits, experienced workers earn $24-$35 an hour
- Carpenters: starting at $14-$22 an hour with benefits, experienced workers earn $22-$31 an hour
Common Job Qualifications
- Reliable transportation
- Available to work 8-10 hour shifts
- Physical stamina
- Ability to lift
- Ability to stand and work on feet
- Pass a drug test
- Ability to show up on time on workdays
- Access to a phone
SD Roads 2 Jobs Construction Career Awareness Training
The SD Roads 2 Jobs training course is designed to provide insight into what highway construction jobs have to offer and connect job seekers with contractors looking for potential on-the-job trainees. The training program is focused on providing short-term learning, which can lead to long-term employment. Individuals will be introduced to an industry that will enable them to apply their skills to a wide range of career opportunities that require minimal education and provide above-average income.
An on-demand construction career training video is available to watch at any time by clicking here. Through this informational session, individuals will learn about:
- Career pathways, training programs, and high-demand construction jobs.
- Job safety and work expectations in the highway construction industry.
- The diverse experiences and opportunities available in the highway construction industry.
SD Roads 2 Jobs Training Resources
Several resources have been developed to assist in conducting an SD Roads 2 Jobs training:
- Train the Trainer Program Guide & Resources
- Train the Trainer Facilitator Guide & Resources
- SD Jobs 2 Jobs Course Participant Guide & Resources
- SD Roads 2 Jobs Recruitment Flyers
- SD Roads 2 Jobs Recruitment Videos
Train the Trainer Program Guide & Resources
The Train the Trainer Program Guide is to be used to help create and facilitate a highway construction career awareness training program and provides best practices. The guide includes information on initial planning and strategy, identifying partnerships, determining employment needs, identifying the target market, creating a marketing plan, recruiting candidates, facilitating the training, appendixes and resources. It is designed to lay out a process and show the options available.
- Program Guide
- Appendix A: Resources
- Appendix B: Partner List
- Appendix C: Acronmys
- Appendix D: Sample Agenda
- Appendix E: Sample Survey
- Appendix F: Branding
- Appendix G: Graphics
- Appendix H: Flyer
- Appendix I: Sample Postcard
- Appendix J: Sample Ads
- Appendix K: Facebook Posts
- Appendix L: Registration
- Appendix M: Sample Emails
- Appendix N: Event Checklist
- Appendix O: Evaluations
- Appendix P: Certificate
- Appendix Q: Sign-in Form
Train the Trainer Facilitator Guide & Resources
The Train the Trainer Facilitator Guide is to be used by the trainer to conduct the training. The guide conveys methods and recommendations to reach a broad audience with SD Roads 2 Jobs. The information presented is designed to be a tool to support the development of the training.
SD Roads 2 Jobs Course Participant Guide & Resources
The SD Roads 2 Jobs Course Participant Guide is to be used by participants during the training.
- Participant Guide
- Appendix A: Resources
- Appendix B: PowerPoint
- Appendix C: Acronymns
- Appendix D: Application
SD Roads 2 Jobs Recruitment Videos
Recruitment videos have been created to promote careers in highway construction.
Employment Resources
Child Care
South Dakota Department of Social Services Child Care Services
Provides financial help for child care costs for families who are working, seeking employment, and/or going to school.
Phone: 605-773-3165
Website: dss.sd.gov/childcare
Economic Assistance
South Dakota Department of Social Services Economic Assistance
The Division of Economic Assistance promotes the wellbeing and provides supports to achieve self-sufficiency of families, children, individuals, elderly, and persons with disabilities by providing medical, nutritional, and financial services and through assessment and referral to other state, federal, and local resources. The Division of Economic Assistance provides eligibility determinations for programs and includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), and the Weatherization Program.
Phone: 605-773-3165
Website: dss.sd.gov/economicassistance
Housing
South Dakota Housing Development Authority
South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) utilizes housing bonds, tax credits, and other federal and state resources to fund housing programs which provide mortgage and down payment assistance, housing construction and rehabilitation, homelessness prevention, rental assistance, and educational opportunities.
Phone: 605-773-3181
Website: www.sdhda.org
SDHousingSearch.com
Trouble finding an affordable place to call home? Renters have a one-stop shop in SDHDA’s affordable rentals search portal—a tool for finding budget-friendly rentals statewide.
Website: www.sdhda.org/for-renters
Job Services
South Dakota Job Services
South Dakota Job Service offices provide employment services and workforce training for job seekers. Services include career coaching, job search help and resources, and training and skills development.
Website: dlr.sd.gov/localoffices
Associated General Contractors of South DakotaThe Associated General Contractors of South Dakota promotes careers in construction while supporting member workforce enhancement. Learn how to build your career in construction and see a list of construction job openings.
Website: www.buildsouthdakota.com
Transportation
Rural and Urban Transit Providers
A listing of rural and urban transit providers across South Dakota.
Website: dot.sd.gov/dot-fact-book/air-rail-and-transit
Veterans Services
Veterans Service Officers
County or tribal veterans service officers provide information, assistance, counseling, and referrals on a wide range of subjects, benefits, and veteran programs including education (on-the-job training and apprenticeship training) and employment.
Website: vetaffairs.sd.gov
About Us
Toby Crow, Building Tomorrow's Highway Construction Workforce: The Partner Perspective Video
The U.S Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration selected the South Dakota Department of Transportation as a pilot state for the Highway Construction Workforce Project. The goal was to recruit and educate hard working, reliable people for construction careers that are available in the state. The Highway Construction Awareness Course gives insight into what these jobs have to offer and can connect people seeking employment with contractors looking for potential on-the-job trainees.
The Task Force consisted of a partnership among the South Dakota Department of Transportation, South Dakota Department of Education, Associated General Contractors of South Dakota, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, and Project Solutions, Inc. The goal was to create career pathways for highway construction occupations and link employers with qualified applicants.
