2P1 Design and Operation of Key Processes

STI’s mission of educating for employment and lifelong learning serves as the framework for defining Other Distinctive Objectives, which are to serve specific educational needs of external stakeholders through the Business and Industry Training Division (BIT) and through the Adult Education and Literacy Department (AEL). The design and operation of these two areas is determined by STI’s administration working with the Director of Business and Industry Training (who is a member of the administrative team) and the AEL Coordinator.

Business and Industry Training (BIT)

The role of the Business and Industry Training (BIT) division is to provide for lifelong learning and for customized training opportunities. A full-time Director of Business and Industry Training oversees the operation of the division and has the primary responsibility to develop and deliver training opportunities:

Customized training: Contractual training specifically designed to meet a company or industry’s needs based on meetings with the BIT Director or his designee.
Open-enrollment training: Classes, courses, or entire certificate programs offered through the division and open to the public. Offerings range from individual courses on computer software to certificate programs in retail floral, heavy equipment operation, commercial driving, or welding.

Adult Education and Literacy (AEL)

STI operates one of the state’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) programs to meet the region’s adult basic education needs through:

GED preparation
English as a Second Language program (ESL)
Adult Basic Education (ABE) programming
Pre-academic and review courses
Outreach programs and contracts with area businesses to provide AEL, ESL or other skill development for on-site workforce training

A fulltime AEL Coordinator oversees operation of the program. The South Dakota Department of Labor provides funding and guidelines.