Broadcaster Press 03 January 3, 2012 www.broadcasteronline.com One in a VerMillion Meet Dan Hart By Travis Gulbrandson travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net When Dan Hart graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1991, he wanted to remain in the Vermillion area. He said there were several potential areas of employment, but the one that appealed to him most was just that – employment. For the past 19 years, he has worked at the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation’s Vermillion office, for which he has been manager along with the North Sioux City office for the past three years. “I handle wage complaints, questions from businesses, employers, labor law questions,” he said. “Basically working with employers, helping people become employed – that’s the majority of what our office does. We’re considered workforce experts, basically.” Prior to accepting his management position, Hart worked as an employment representative and workforce training coordinator. “It’s never the same,” he said of his work. “I’m not tied to the desk – I have to get out and visit with employers and meet with people, and so it’s great in that respect. I just love it. … “I’m a helping person, anyway, so to be able to help people is a dream job. I’m happy to come to work every day,” he said. When he’s not at work, Hart enjoys motorcycling and fishing. He also is a self- described “audiophile.” “I have a pretty extensive collection, eclectic tastes in music,” he said. “I listen to everything from old country and western to modern jazz, blues, classic rock, all that stuff. I’m not so much into techno, and some of the modern country is out of my realm, but I listen to pretty much everything. … “I like music that makes me feel good,” he said. His favorite group, the recently-split Asylum Street Spankers, was based out of Texas. Hart’s enjoyment of their music led to his involvement in filming their 10thanniversary show. “I’ve got professional credits on their DVD, so that’s my one claim to fame,” he said. Other interests include the Disabled American Veterans, for who he has served as local commander “for about four years,” and the Vermillion Rotary Club. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Hart was raised primarily in the Canistota/Freeman area. He moved to Vermillion in 1984. Hart has two step-children with his wife, Nicole Payer, who is a nurse. They have seven grandchildren. He said he is glad to have made Vermillion his home. “It’s nice, it’s quiet,” he said. “I spent a couple summers while I was in college out in southern California. (There were) people everywhere. Even where you should be able to go and get away from people in the mountains, you can’t.” DAN HART Vermillion manufacturing job growth drives creation of welding boot camp The recent addition of Builder’s Choice to Vermillion’s economy, and new expansion plans for Masaba Mining Equipment have pushed the demand for skilled trade workers to an all-time high. In order to meet this demand and remain competitive for future industrial economic development projects, the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development Company (VCDC) created a Welding Boot Camp to introduce basic welding skills to prospective workers seeking careers in manufacturing. “Our recent growth has not only highlighted the great opportunities in Vermillion and Clay County, but also our shortage of skilled trades people, said Steve Howe, executive director of the VCDC. “This is a trend in the region and to combat this shortfall, communities need to be proactive.” Representatives of the Vermillion School District, Masaba Mining Equipment, and the VCDC met to devise a rapid study curriculum to help meet immediate need for welders by area employers. “This course is intended to provide the basic knowledge of welding processes to make the employee more marketable to companies and reduce the necessary on-the-job training required by the employer,” said Howe. “We’re finding employers are willing to train, but the hurdle is finding workers who have the core skill set for them to build on, and we think this course will help provide that.” The 35 hour course will begin on Jan. 9, 2012 and focus on the MIG welding process and include education on shop safety, steel cutting methods, shop related math skills, and the various welds needed to be successful in the local workforce. While geared toward the recent high school graduate seeking the skills to enter the workforce or the adult worker considering a career change, those with a general interest in learning the basics of welding are also welcome to attend. The strong demand for welders will allow Patricia Curry: 605-661-2860 Andy Curry: 605-261-1202 Archie Dunham: 605-366-4625 Also see us at Siouxlandhomes.com Virtual Tours www.dunhamcompany.com Elk Point, SD 1704 Arnold Palmer Lane – $219,900 PRICE REDUCED 4 BR, 3 bath ranch. Open concept, living room w/firepl, slider to patio. Kitchen appliances stay. Master w/ roomy walk-in closet, large mst bath w/double sinks. Main fl laundry. L level finish: huge family rm, 2 BR w/ egress, full bath. 3 stall heated garage w/epoxy finish floor. 3rd stall set for tandem 4th stall, pad poured. 209 S. Walnut Street – $89,900 2 bed, 1 bath. Many updates; kitchen appliances, washer/dryer stay. Clean dry basement for storage. 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Tensile Strength • Cut to length from 1”- 60 ft. • .0155 mill thickness before paint • .017 mill nominal thickness after paint • 40-year paint warranty FACTO R DIRECT Y Call for Prices. “We Roll Our Own Steel For You We’ll Roll You a Deal” Bottom Dollar • Factory Direct • Wholesale Prices Post Frame Building Packages or Steel Sheeting 605-987-9080 • 605-987-4306 fax for immediate employment opportunities upon successful completion of the course, and the VDCD, through its workforce component of the Vermillion Now initiative, will offer tuition reimbursement for students obtaining employment with a Clay County company. Howe explains, “These skills are needed, and Vermillion Now has provided us with the resources to help. As much as we want to recruit new companies to the area, it is as PRECISION PAINTING A17407 important, if not more so, to help your current businesses stay healthy and grow.” To register for the class or to receive additional information, contact the Vermillion Area Chamber and Development at 605624-5571 or vcdc@vermillionchamb er.com. For more information about business development opportunities in Vermillion, please visit VermillionEDC.com or call 605.624.5571. INTERIOR • EXTERIOR COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL Quality Workmanship, Reasonable Rates Since 1983 CLINT TUCKER • 624-4621 NOTICE FOR BID Irene-Wakonda School District 13-3 is soliciting bid proposals for Architectural/Engineering Services for a school addition in Wakonda, South Dakota. Pre-bid proposal information is available from Crafts, Inc., PO Box 671, Norfolk, NE, 68702. Phone (402) 379-0777. Interested firms should contact Crafts, Inc. to schedule preliminary meetings and interviews. Deadline for bid proposals is 12:00 CST, January 16, 2012 at Crafts, Inc. office. The selection process will take place at the IreneWakonda School Board Meeting, 7pm January 16, 2012. IreneWakonda School District School Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The Irene-Wakonda School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.