The South Dakota Board of Education approved three new programs for Western Dakota Tech on Monday, August 24, 2015. The programs are Cybersecurity, Dental Assistant, and Medical Laboratory Technician.
Labor market information indicates that demand for workers in these fields is strong in South Dakota and nationally. WDT strives to offer programs with exceptional job outlooks to benefit students and the community. WDT will offer the programs beginning in 2016.
Cybersecurity students will complete classes in network security, network defense and countermeasures, information security, databases, computer forensics, and more. The industry is currently experiencing unprecedented growth due to the dramatic increase of computing and communications technologies across the globe. Through 2022, the number of Information Security Analysts will grow by 25 percent in South Dakota and 37 percent nationally.
Dental Assistant students will complete classes in basic radiography, pre- and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, supervised practice, equipment maintenance and sterilization, medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, and scheduling. Through 2022, the number of dental assisting positions will grow by 12.7 percent in South Dakota and 25 percent nationally.
Medical Laboratory Technician students will complete classes in general laboratory procedures and skills; laboratory mathematics; medical computer applications; interpersonal and communications skills; and the basic principles of hematology, medical microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis. Through 2022, the number of Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians will grow by 17.6 percent in South Dakota and 30 percent nationally.
"WDT is excited to add these three options because the need for skilled workers in these fields is so great," WDT President Ann Bolman said. "Students will graduate from these programs with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they need to be successful."
For information about the new WDT programs, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to admissions@wdt.edu
