Lake Area Technical College Adds Agri-Aviation Option

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Education approved the addition of an Aviation option for Lake Area Technical College’s Agriculture program.  The nine-month diploma option will begin this fall. Students may enter the option and graduate with a diploma or enter the option after completing LATI’s Agriculture or Aviation programs. Graduates of this option will obtain a private pilot’s license and be trained to work in the field of agriculture aviation as an aerial application pilot, aerial application technician, or aerial application owner/operator.

According to LATI President Deb Shephard, the Agri-Aviation option will be the first of its kind at technical Colleges in South Dakota and one of only a handful in the nation. The option was developed because of a demand for ag pilots due to the rebound of general aviation and the Baby Boomer exodus from the job market.

“The program will draw students primarily from South Dakota, North Dakota, western Minnesota, and Nebraska but opportunity exists to draw from across the nation,” Shephard said. “LATI will primarily provide skilled workers to employers in South Dakota and neighboring states but, very feasibly, to any region of the country.” Shephard said.

For more information on the new Agri-Aviation option, please visit lakeareatech.edu.