Category: Talent Draft Day

Talent Draft Day 2024 returns on March 22

Posted on by leahb

Join Us for a Landmark Event: Talent Draft Day Returns to Ignite Futures and Forge Connections!

Mark your calendars! Due to overwhelming enthusiasm and success in past years, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is thrilled to announce the return of the Talent Draft Day on March 22, now in its groundbreaking fourth year. This signature event has become a pivotal moment for both aspiring young professionals and forward-thinking businesses in the Sioux Falls region.

What Makes Talent Draft Day Unmissable?

Talent Draft Day is not just an event; it’s a vibrant ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between the workforce of tomorrow and today’s employment opportunities. This year, we’re rolling out an even more immersive experience, tailored to spark curiosity, ignite ambition, and foster meaningful connections:

  • Hands-On Technology Demonstrations: Experience the future of work with live demonstrations by leading employers and educators. Dive into the world of skilled and professional trades through engaging role plays and interactive sessions that bring career possibilities to life.
  • Speed Networking Extravaganza: Accelerate your networking with rapid-fire sessions that connect students directly with top employers. Discover apprenticeships, internships, and career paths you never knew existed in a fast-paced and dynamic setting.

This is your golden opportunity to align with the future of your industry, share your vision with eager young minds, and potentially meet your next star employee or intern.

Talent Draft Day Recap 2021

Posted on by leahb

Talent Draft Day is a one-day program for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students dedicated to career awareness, employer networking, and professional development. The goal of the event is part of our broader workforce development strategy and aims to connect students to career opportunities available in Sioux Falls. Areas of focus include health and biosciences, engineering, general business, industrial trades, and media arts.

Watch this recap to learn more about Talent Draft Day 2021.

 

 

 

Denise Guzzetta
Interested in being part of our next workforce development event?

Denise Guzzetta

VP of Talent and Workforce Development

Talent Draft Day Draws High School, College Students from 11 States

Posted on by meganjansick

Talent Draft Day 2020

They logged in by the hundreds from Missouri and Michigan to Ohio and Illinois – and left learning more about the career opportunities available in Sioux Falls.

This was the 2020 version of the annual Talent Draft Day, an event organized by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to connect middle school, high school and college students with education and training paths that lead to rewarding careers.

“It’s very powerful because students get exposure to different careers and different companies and businesses in Sioux Falls, and the options are great,” said Vickie Donohoe, a school counselor who brought a group of students from New Tech High School.

If there’s a company out there doubting they want to come, just do it. It’s a great opportunity for your company.

About 2,000 students tuned in for the morning session, which featured 10 training camps and gave an up-close look at opportunities at Southeast Technical College – everything from residential construction to HVAC and welding.

“Southeast really does a good job of keeping up with the times and offering programs that are applicable to what the workforce needs right now,” Donohoe said.

Then came a series of employer panels, where students in high school and college could learn about key industries in Sioux Falls, from health care and biosciences to business, engineering, energy and technology.

The Development Foundation did a strong marketing effort using Handshake, an online network used by college students, and it showed.

“Last year, we had 12 school participating; this year, we have 81,” said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce development for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.

“They’re from places like Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota in addition to throughout South Dakota. So we’re really rounding out and just giving the taste of Sioux Falls.”

Altogether, thousands of students participated during the day. Employers enthusiastically lined up for it too.

“It’s definitely a great event,” said Michelle Bermudez, a recruiter for Muth Electric. “You get to expose your company to students that don’t know what they want to do when they graduate and talk to them about apprenticeship programs, tuition reimbursement, scholarships. If there’s a company out there doubting they want to come, just do it. It’s a great opportunity for your company.”

Want to get connected to this and more workforce development opportunities in Sioux Falls? Click here to learn more.

Talent Draft day draws high school, college students from 11 Midwest states

Posted on by meganjansick

They logged in by the hundreds, from Missouri to Michigan, Ohio to Illinois – and left learning more about the career opportunities available in Sioux Falls.

This was the 2020 version of the annual Talent Draft Day, an event organized by the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to connect middle school, high school and college students with education and training paths that lead to rewarding careers.