The Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council’s young adult division works with employers and educators to assist students with career exploration, career awareness, career preparation, and skills training that align with the needs of local employers. This is accomplished through a series of work-based learning activities, career focused events and workplace experiences. Providing students with opportunities to experience “real-life” workplaces and employees outside of the classroom is important for their career preparation and for building a pipeline of future Southwest Minnesota skilled workers.

Young Adult Team

Our Young Adult Team is committed to helping youth ages 16-24 residing in our 14 county service area (Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties) prepare for the workforce of Southwest Minnesota. Services include: employment and training programs for young adults looking to obtain employment, maintain employment, and/or advance in their career pathway by means of secondary school completion, entering a post-secondary education program (short-term/long-term), apprenticeship, work experience, or on-the-job training.

As a school-to-career intermediary organization, the PIC can serve as a single point of contact for employers to work with the region’s schools, colleges, and disconnected youth.

Eligibility Guidelines

Any student residing in our fourteen county service area that is 14-21 years old who meet established guidelines may be considered for services. Applications are available for download on this page, from local school counselors, teachers, county family service agencies, and probation officers, or by contacting your local CareerForce location.

Workforce innovation & opportunity act (WIOA)

WIOA Youth Eligibility

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 and 24 and in-school youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with year-round employment and training services. Under this law passed in 2014, WIOA youth services emphasize services to out-of-school and disconnected youth, high school dropout recovery and attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials. Out-of-school youth under WIOA is a person between the ages of 16 and 24 who is not attending ANY school and is one or more of the following: a school dropout; a youth who is within age of compulsory school attendance in Minnesota but has not attended for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter; a youth with a high school diploma or equivalent who is low income and is basic skills deficient or is an English language learner; an offender; a homeless, runaway or foster youth; a pregnant or parenting youth; a youth with a disability; or a low-income individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment.

Minnesota youth program (MYP)

MYP Youth Eligibility

The Minnesota Youth Program serves low-income and at-risk youth ages 14 to 24 who lack academic and “applied skills” considered critical for current and future workplace needs. For more information contact your local WorkForce Center.

Youth Intervention Program

The project goal is to help students explore career options and develop plans for transition from high school to post-secondary training and/or competitive employment. In addition, PIC staff will provide youth with information about education and training requirements for careers in high-growth, in-demand occupations; and offer comprehensive, integrated training, job readiness/placement services, and support services.

Individual services include career awareness, discussions and information on non-traditional employment options and identification of career pathways, work-based learning, career preparation, self-advocacy, work-readiness skills training, career placement, and individualized wraparound or support services. Group services include career awareness, career exploration, and information on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs, including admission processes and support resources, work-readiness skills training, career placement, self-advocacy instruction. Large group events include Breaking Traditions and LifeSkills.

Available Services

Outreach to School addresses a strategy for delivering effective education planning, career counseling and labor market information to the region’s youth and families. The Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council staff work with students in local schools to assist with career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and career placement.

By providing this access, students are able to discuss with career specialists the development of an employment and training plan related to their intended career path, receive assistance with testing preparation, college and job applications and financial aid assistance. Outreach to Schools services encourages youth to pursue education leading to high pay high demand, or sustainable careers focusing on career pathways, and provides greater access to services than most schools alone can provide.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides out-of-school youth between the ages of 16 and 24 and in-school youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with year-round employment and training services. Under this law passed in 2014, WIOA youth services emphasize services to out-of-school and disconnected youth, high school dropout recovery and attainment of recognized postsecondary credentials.

The Minnesota Youth Program (MYP) serves low-income and at-risk youth ages 14 to 24 who lack academic and “applied skills” considered critical for current and future workplace needs. MYP benefits youth by providing immediate earnings from structured, well-supervised work experiences; Work readiness and life skills to foster good work habits and self-sufficiency; Career pathways to in-demand occupations; Opportunities to earn academic or service learning credit; Increased self-esteem, as well as citizenship, parenting and leadership skills.

Youth at Work offers comprehensive training to young adults ages 16-24, who are under-represented in the CareerForce, economically disadvantaged, and/or have at least one at-risk characteristic. Youth at Work services benefit youth through work based learning, career pathways, and skill acquisition.

The YST@DLI program develops partnerships between schools and employers at a local level, to provide students with classroom instruction, safety training and work based learning opportunities in industries such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture, automotive, health care and information technology.

For more information about how your school or business can participate, contact:

Carrie Bendix
507-476-4067