Career on-ramps
Investing in our kids helps build our local economies and communities.
Success in the new economy means a major shift in how high school students and their families prepare for the next step in their education. In southwest Minnesota, less than 1 in 6 job openings require a bachelor’s degree or more, while 18 percent require vocational training or an associate degree, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
We support career readiness efforts in school districts around our region to help close the opportunity gap. These efforts showcase collaboration among schools, private sector businesses and regional partners to offer outstanding experiences and educational opportunities to help build the talent pipeline our region’s businesses need to compete in a global marketplace. Investments in our kids lead to valuable economic impact in our communities.
Southwest Initiative Foundation has leveraged $1.1 million to connect our kids with job opportunities in education and healthcare that will keep them here.
The Windom Career Pathways Program launched at the start of the 2018-19 school year and has five pathways for students to explore: Agriculture and Manufacturing, Health Science, Education, Business and Marketing and Information Technology. Many courses offer credits that give students a jump on post-secondary education and connect students to outside opportunities.
“The coursework students are doing is far more hands on and practical than before. And the courses are very popular; that tells me a lot,” said Principal Bryan Joyce.
Read the Story
