Education

Workforce Strength Today. Talent Pipeline for Tomorrow.

Connecting Employers with Skilled, Career-Ready Talent

Watertown offers employers immediate access to a skilled, dependable workforce—anchored by a strong manufacturing and technical skills base—while continuing to invest in the talent needs of the future. Through forward-thinking workforce initiatives led by the Watertown Development Company, and a robust education system, businesses benefit from both readiness today and sustainability tomorrow.

Our workforce pipeline is supported by strong local education partners, including Northeast Technical High School, Mount Marty University, and the nationally recognized Lake Area Technical College. Together, they help ensure employers can find, train, and retain talent at every stage—from entry-level to advanced technical and leadership roles.

Northeast Technical High School

NTHS has provided career and technical education services to students of the Glacial Lakes Region of South Dakota for over 40 years. It currently serves students from 9 area high school in 13 career cluster areas. NTHS partners with local employers and strives to provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning and skill-building.

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LAKE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE

LATC’s mission is superior, comprehensive technical education that changes lives and launches careers. Since its foundation in 1965 as the first technical school in South Dakota, LATC now has $450,000 in scholarships available, 31 career programs (13 online E-Degrees and certificates), more than 22,000 graduates, and a living record of success. LATC’s philosophy of being “industry-facing” and ability to adapt to the changing workforce needs of the region’s industry and its focus on placement as a measure of student success are just a few of the reasons that LATC was awarded the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

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Mount Marty University

Watertown is home to a satellite campus of Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD, a private, liberal arts college. Watertown’s MMC campus offers both bachelor’s and associate degrees in a number of popular programs. Courses are scheduled to accommodate the schedules of individuals that work full-time, and some courses are available online.

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StartUp Watertown

StartUp Watertown’s mission is to inspire, support, and accelerate entrepreneurs in Watertown by providing education, mentorship, space, and capital connections that turn ideas into sustainable businesses.

Programs That Strengthen the Workforce

Build Dakota Scholarship

The Build Dakota Scholarship provides full-ride tuition for students pursuing high-need careers in South Dakota. Participating employers may sponsor students and gain a three-year employee commitment—creating a direct, reliable pipeline of skilled talent.

LATC Corporate Education

Lake Area Technical College’s Corporate Education division delivers customized training, certifications, and skill-development programs designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce and employers.

SDMTS Continuous Improvement Courses – Watertown

This ongoing series of workshops and professional development programs offers cutting-edge training focused on efficiency, innovation, and workforce advancement—helping employees and organizations stay competitive.

The Challenger Learning Center (Coming Soon)

The Challenger Learning Center is an immersive STEM education facility where students engage in hands-on, space-themed simulation missions. These experiences build problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills—preparing the next generation for high-demand STEM careers.