September is officially Workforce Development Month in Minnesota, as proclaimed by Governor Tim Walz. This statewide recognition highlights the importance of equipping Minnesotans with the skills, training, and opportunities needed to succeed in today’s evolving economy. It’s a time to celebrate the partnerships that make workforce development possible and the individuals whose lives are transformed through meaningful careers.
Here in Southwest Minnesota, this celebration holds special meaning. On July 1, 2025, the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (PIC) marked its 40th anniversary, four decades of helping people find career success and supporting businesses in building the talent they need to thrive.
Across the state, workforce development services provide life-changing opportunities for Minnesotans. CareerForce and local workforce development boards connect job seekers with training, career counseling, and support while partnering with employers to address hiring needs. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Workforce Development Month underscores how these services strengthen both communities and the economy.
As DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek noted in a recent blog post, Minnesota’s economy is only as strong as its workforce. The collaboration between state agencies, local partners, schools, and employers ensures that people of all ages can access opportunities to build skills, earn credentials, and move into high-demand jobs.
This mission is lived out every day in Southwest Minnesota through the programs and partnerships of the PIC.
Since 1985, PIC has provided opportunities for thousands of individuals across the 14-county region. From high school students taking their first steps into the workforce, to parents striving to support their families, to laid-off workers seeking new career paths, PIC has been there with the tools and support to help people succeed.
Signature programs such as the Youth Career Connector and Career Pathways initiatives have introduced students to in-demand careers and created access to short-term, credentialed training in fields like healthcare, welding, and transportation. These programs not only meet the needs of local employers but also change lives by giving people confidence, skills, and sustainable careers.
PIC has also been a pioneer in adopting the Career Pathways model, ensuring that training is accelerated, accessible, and aligned with the needs of industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation.
For businesses, PIC has offered customized solutions: connecting employers with skilled candidates, providing labor market data, and convening employer-led discussions to tackle workforce challenges. By fostering collaboration, PIC has helped build a strong regional economy where businesses and workers thrive together.
For 40 years, PIC’s work has been rooted in collaboration. Partnerships with county governments, schools, colleges, local employers, regional commissions, and chambers of commerce have been essential to amplifying the impact of workforce development services. Together, these partnerships have expanded opportunities, aligned resources, and ensured that Southwest Minnesota remains a place of growth and opportunity.
As Executive Director Carrie Bendix reflects:
“Our work is about people, partnerships, and possibilities. As we reflect on the past 40 years, we’re proud of the lives we’ve touched and the economic vitality we’ve helped create. And we’re even more excited for what’s ahead.”
As Workforce Development Month is celebrated across Minnesota, the Southwest Minnesota PIC also looks forward to its fifth decade of service. The mission remains clear: to create and sustain a skilled, diverse workforce that meets the needs of regional employers and strengthens local communities.
With a legacy of innovation and a future of continued collaboration, PIC is proud to celebrate this milestone and to keep fueling futures for many years to come.
Learn More
For more on Workforce Development Month and statewide workforce efforts, check out these resources: