NATIONAL FARMWORKER JOBS PROGRAM
It all begins with the right job. BHSSC assists individuals to obtain full time employment in any industry of their choosing. We offer job counseling classes, job search assistance and other services. You may also qualify for expenses related to transportation, living expenses and emergency expenses.
To qualify for services, you must:
- Be at or below poverty income guidelines.
- Comply with Selective Service registration (the military draft).
- Be a seasonal or migrant farm or ranch worker having earned wages on a farm or ranch in any 12 consecutive months in the past two years. You must have earned at least half your income in that type of work OR spent at least half your time in farm or ranch work.
What about citizenship?
You may be eligible for services even if your citizenship is with another country. However, services are provided only to those who have legal status.
What about my family members?
If you qualify for help, so do your dependent family members.
What type of education or job training might I find?
- On-the-Job-Training (OJT) – a program where you learn a job at a worksite. Up to half of your wages are paid by the program as you learn the job. This makes it easier for the employer to give you a chance.
- English as a Second
- Language (ESL) – a program in which students learn English conversation, reading and writing skills. Students also learn about their community, U.S. culture and citizenship.
- Literacy/Adult Basic Education (ABE) – a program in which students have the opportunity to brush-up on reading and/or math skills needed to qualify for a better job or to make a successful transition to postsecondary school, such as a Technical Institute or University.
- General Educational Development (GED®) – a program providing preparation to students to pass the official GED® exam in the areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Classes are tailored to meet the individual needs of the students.
- Customized Skills Training – Training in any number of areas which will lead to unsubsidized employment in the state’s high-need career fields, as determined by the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation and the South Dakota Workforce Development Council.
- Postsecondary Technical Education – Training at South Dakota’s four technical institutes– Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls and Western Dakota Technical Institute in Rapid City– offer more than 100 Associate Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs in the state’s high-need career fields.
