Lake Area Technical College reports strong placement for class of 2024; class of 2025 graduation set for May 16

Lake Area Technical College (LATC) staff reported graduate placement outcomes for the class of 2024 and briefed the Watertown School District board on the class of 2025 during the May 13 meeting.

For the class of 2024 LATC reported 781 graduates earning 806 credentials and said the college connected with 768 of those graduates, a 98% response rate. Of those reached, 82% were reported to remain in South Dakota; 51 graduates were continuing education or serving in the armed forces and 613 were reported employed. The college reported that, among employed graduates, 93% worked in their field of study, 81% worked in South Dakota, and 74% worked in their field of study in South Dakota.

LATC said it is working with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation to validate wage data for the class of 2024; final wage statistics were pending and expected to be shared at the state board of technical education meeting.

For the class of 2025 LATC presented preliminary numbers: 894 individuals qualified to graduate, with roughly 600 expected to participate in the May 16 commencement ceremony at the Civic Arena. The 2025 class reportedly represents students from 15 states; 81% are from South Dakota and about 70% worked while enrolled (nearly 40% working 20 or more hours per week). LATC noted 21% of the 2025 graduates are the first in their family to earn any college degree.

The board acknowledged the reports and had no formal action on the placement report; administration said more complete wage validation would be circulated after the Department of Labor review.

Ending: LATC commencement scheduled for May 16, 2025; staff will provide validated wage figures to the board when available.