Be Pro Be Proud Expands to South Dakota as Organization Reaches 10th State

Partnership with South Dakota Home Builders Association Connects Students to In-Demand Technical Career Pathways

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 24, 2026) — Be Pro Be Proud, a nonprofit leading the movement to bring a new generation of professionals to America’s skilled workforce, marked its expansion to a 10th state with the launch of Be Pro Be Proud South Dakota in partnership with the South Dakota Home Builders Association. The launch builds on the momentum of the organization’s first Mobile Workshop visit to South Dakota in February 2026, when Gov. Larry Rhoden and state lawmakers joined students at the state Capitol for an immersive look at the program.

Be Pro Be Proud’s expansion to South Dakota comes 10 years after the organization’s founding in Arkansas in 2016. Since its launch, Be Pro Be Proud has introduced more than 600,000 students to technical career opportunities by changing perceptions and opening pathways into the skilled workforce.

“South Dakota’s students deserve the chance to see these professions firsthand and understand the many opportunities right in their own backyard,” said Andrew Parker, executive director of Be Pro Be Proud. “These professions can build the next generation of fortune creators. We’re proud to bring that message to South Dakota alongside the organizations and industry leaders who helped make this happen.”

Students step aboard Be Pro Be Proud’s Mobile Workshop and access interactive experiences and fully immersive hands-on simulators representing more than 16 skilled professions across construction, manufacturing, transportation and utilities. Featured careers include welding, computer numerical control (CNC) operation, diesel technology, electric work, utility linework, robotics and commercial truck driving.

The experience introduces students to fields many haven’t considered, then connects them with education and training opportunities, industry partners and prospective employers to help turn that interest into next steps.

“When the Mobile Workshop came to the Capitol in February, a teacher came to us in tears. Two of her students were on the verge of dropping out, but by the time they walked off that Mobile Workshop, they’d signed up for a CDL course and committed to finishing high school,” said Darin Howie, president of the South Dakota Home Builders Association. “That’s why we wanted to bring this program to South Dakota permanently. This program truly affects families’ lives and ensures we can fill the large pipeline of jobs needed to grow our state’s economy.”

South Dakota becomes Be Pro Be Proud’s 10th state, joining Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

To learn more about Be Pro Be Proud, visit beprobeproud.org.

Soundbites and B-Roll can be found here.

About Be Pro Be Proud

Be Pro Be Proud, Inc. is a nonprofit workforce development initiative originated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas (AIA) that successfully connects students across the country to high-wage, high-skill technical careers. Through partnerships with state agencies, local industry and higher education entities, Be Pro Be Proud works to educate the next generation about the many opportunities available in skilled professions, such as welding, robotics, electrical, utility linework, diesel technology and more. The initiative was launched in Arkansas in 2016 and has since licensed efforts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.

	Be Pro Be Proud Executive Director Andrew Parker signs a license agreement with South Dakota Home Builders Association President Darin Howie.

Be Pro Be Proud expands to South Dakota. Pictured: South Dakota Home Builders Association President Darin Howie, Be Pro Be Proud Executive Director Andrew Parker.