Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (PIC) spent the 2025–2026 program year focused on a simple but important goal: creating opportunities that help people build careers, help employers find talent, and help communities strengthen their workforce.
As employers navigate a changing labor market, evolving technology, demographic shifts, and continued workforce shortages, PIC continues to adapt its programs and partnerships to meet the needs of the region. During the past year, that meant expanding career exploration for young people, strengthening training opportunities for adults, launching new programs, and working more intentionally with employers and community partners.
Connecting Students to Careers
One of PIC’s largest workforce initiatives continues to be Youth Career Connectors (YCC), which connects schools, students, and local employers through career exploration and work-based learning.
During the 2025–2026 school year, YCC served 5,729 students across 27 school districts, working alongside 211 local business partners. Students participated in career fairs, job shadows, industry tours, career assessments, mock interviews, internships, paid work experiences, and other career-connected activities.
The program provided students with opportunities to explore careers before making important decisions about education and employment. In total, 2,603 students participated in career fairs, while 461 students completed YouScience career assessments designed to help identify their aptitudes and career interests. These assessments can then help guide students toward relevant job shadows, work-based learning experiences, and future career opportunities.
Work-based learning remained a major focus, with 193 paid work experiences and internships helping students gain real-world experience and build connections with local employers. PIC also continued its paid summer internship program in Nobles, Swift, and Murray counties, now in its fourth year. Learn more about the summer internship program by reading this article
These experiences can make a lasting difference. For example, Jasmin completed CNA training while still in high school, earned an industry-recognized credential, and went on to secure part-time employment as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Maple Lawn in Fulda.
Helping Adults Build Skills and Careers
PIC's work extends beyond youth programming. Adult programs provide individuals with career counseling, training, supportive services, and opportunities to earn credentials that align with in-demand occupations.
Through Career Pathways and other adult training programs, participants pursued careers in fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, transportation, and energy. Career Pathways alone served 150 participants, with 53 successful exits, representing a 75% success rate.
Adult special grants also helped expand access to training. Support from the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Long-Term Care, Meat Processors, Cargill, and Wilson Foundation grants helped strengthen adult programming and create opportunities for participants to earn industry-recognized credentials.
Across these programs, participants earned credentials in areas including CNA, electrician, CDL, powerline technician, LPN, and other occupational and technical fields. In total, the report highlights 120 credentials earned through adult training programs.
Success stories demonstrate the impact behind those numbers. Kiley turned her interest in welding into a career after graduating from Minnesota West with High Honors and a 3.77 GPA. She secured full-time employment as a welder earning $24.47 per hour and received a raise shortly after starting work. Read Kiley’s Story Here
Beatriz also used PIC support to pursue her nursing career. As a first-generation college student, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a 4.00 GPA, returned to Worthington, and began working as a Registered Nurse at Sanford Worthington Medical Center. Read Beatriz’s Story Here
Expanding Opportunities Through New Programs
The 2025–2026 program year also brought new opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
PIC launched the Employment Transition Model (ETM) program, a five-year U.S. Department of Labor grant focused on helping rural youth with disabilities ages 14–24 transition to employment, education, and career training.
PIC also became an Employment Network through the American Dream Employment Network, allowing the organization to provide Ticket to Work services to Social Security disability beneficiaries pursuing employment and greater economic self-sufficiency. Learn about the Ticket to Work Program
In addition, PIC launched a new Agricultural Career Pathways initiative designed to prepare workers for high-demand careers in agriculture. Training opportunities include CDL, equipment operation, mechanics, welding, and other areas, combining industry-recognized credentials with hands-on experience with area employers. Learn More about the Ag Program
Supporting Families and Job Seekers
PIC's Public Assistance Programs continued helping individuals and families move toward employment and greater self-sufficiency. Programs including SNAP Employment & Training, MFIP, Diversionary Work Program, and Refugee Employment Services provide services such as employment counseling, job search assistance, and support designed to help individuals secure and maintain employment.
Youth and Young Adult Services also continued providing education, career preparation, work experiences, and supportive services to young people ages 14–24, particularly those facing barriers to employment or education.
Building a Stronger Regional Workforce Together
None of this work happens alone.
During the past year, PIC partnered with 27 school districts, more than 200 businesses, colleges, Adult Basic Education providers, counties, Tribal Nations, employers, chambers, foundations, economic development organizations, and other community partners. These partnerships help connect workforce development resources with the people and industries that need them.
The impact of that collaboration can be seen throughout the region: a student discovering a career through a job shadow, a high school student earning a credential and entering the workforce, an adult gaining skills for a new career, or an employer finding the talent needed to grow.
For Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, workforce development is about more than programs and numbers. It is about creating connections that lead to opportunity.
As PIC looks toward another year, the focus remains on listening, adapting, strengthening partnerships, and developing workforce strategies that meet the changing needs of Southwest Minnesota.
Together, we are leading through change and creating opportunity.
Want to learn more about the people, programs, partnerships, and outcomes behind our work? Explore our 2025–2026 Annual Report and Youth Career Connectors Annual Impact Report to see how Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council is creating opportunities and strengthening the region’s workforce.