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What is LYFT?

Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) is a rural CTE pathway initiative to rebuild career and technical education (CTE) in southwest and west central MN, funded through a state-wide $3 million Rural CTE Consortium Grant passed by the Minnesota Legislature.  

LYFT funding is available to high schools (and their partners) to develop shared CTE courses and programs ... with the goal that every secondary student in the region gains marketable skills through meaningful CTE courses and opportunities that lead to further education and careers that match our region's labor market needs.  
Read the LYFT Flyer

News & Events

Latest News

The 2024 Southwest Minnesota Career Expo took place on September 24th and 25th at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall and Minnesota West-Worthington. This year’s event welcomed 124 employers and educational programs, giving high school students valuable insights into career paths and educational opportunities while showcasing the types of jobs offered by local businesses.

Read More about 2024 Career Expo

As labor force demand increases, more attention is being given to our high school graduates – where are they going and how do we keep more of them in our rural regions now that we have a plethora of opportunities available. This report tracks high school graduates in Southwest Minnesota from 2008 through 2019, examining what sorts of education and career paths they have traveled. By identifying the types of high school experiences they had, we can better understand what strategies to focus on that might keep more young people in the region.

Read More about The Journey to Meaningful Workforce in SW MN

The Major Madness event was designed for our English Language Learner students to become more familiar with the various training programs, careers, resources and tools available for making decisions for “What’s Next After High School” in southwest Minnesota. This event is hosted by the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Upward Bound, and LYFT Career Pathways.

Read More about Major Madness Event for Students

Upcoming Events

January

Featured Projects

Learn more about some of the projects funded by LYFT Career Pathways by clicking the images.