PAST | PRESENT | FUTURE

What is LYFT Career Pathways?

Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) is a rural career and technical education (CTE) pathway initiative with the purpose of rebuilding Career and Technical Education (CTE) in southwest and west central Minnesota.

We define CTE as…

• ACCESSIBLE, EQUITABLE, AND INCLUSIVE
• ALIGNED AND INTEGRATED
• INNOVATIVE AND CAREER CONNECTED
• ENGAGING AND RELEVANT
• SUSTAINABLE AND NEED-BASED

The Goal of LYFT Career Pathways

For every student in grades 7-12 across the region to gain marketable skills through meaningful CTE courses and opportunities, that lead to further education and careers that match our region’s labor market needs.

Changing the Narrative

Typically

1. College
2. Major
3. Career Pathway

Should Be

1. Career Pathway
2. Major – Credential
3. Future Training
    

PAST

The NEED for LYFT Career Pathways

• Decreased # of CTE Classes
• Decreased # of CTE Students
• Decreased # of CTE Teachers
• Decreased Funding for CTE
• Increased Business Demand for Skilled Employees
   

LYFT Career Pathways Funding

LYFT was originally funded through a $3 million Rural Career and Technical Education Consortium Grant, which was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2017 and supported just the southwest west central region of Minnesota.
 

Business Engagement Spectrum for Career and Technical Education Courses

This tool shows different levels of engagement on a spectrum from “inform” to “empower,” with businesses having higher degrees of influence over decisions made as the engagement levels move toward empower. There are many factors and situations that determine the degree of engagement, so there is no right or wrong placement on the spectrum.

Inform

• Provide them with information
• Help them understand the problem, opportunities and solutions
• Promise to Businesses: Keep them informed

Consult

• Obtain feedback on analysis and decisions
• Listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations
• Promise to Businesses: Seek their feedback

Involve

• Work directly with them
• Ensure concerns and aspirations considered
• Promise to Businesses: Feedback influences decisions

Collaborate

• Partner on each aspect of decisions
• Look to them for direct advice and innovation
• Promise to Businesses: Work together to formulate and implement solutions

Empower

• Place final decision-making in their hands
• Promise to Businesses: Implement what they decide
   

Launching Futures: Formula for SUCCESS

Business ENGAGEMENT

• Assisting with building content of student learning
• Partnering in the delivery of training/education
• Supporting students through mentorships, internships and apprenticeships
• Contributing to the long-term sustainability of CTE programming

Educational INNOVATION & COLLABORATION

• Two or more schools sharing resources to overcome barriers
• Providing innovative approaches to learning and CTE pathways for student success
• Building CTE pathways that meet business needs
• Aligning student interest with higher education and workforce needs

Student SUCCESS

• Increasing student and parent awareness of regional career opportunities
• Providing exposure to regional career opportunities through work-based learning
• Gaining skills through hands-on learning
• Building career pathways that align with student interest and abilities
   

Innovation Grants

2021-22 School Year - Courses through Spring 2022

• Intro to Medical Careers
• Intro to Manuf & Engin
• Nursing Assistant
• Information Tech Concepts
• Basic Mechanics
• Aquaculture
• Electrical Controls
• Aviation
• Auto Technology
• Intro to Eng Design
• Internship
• Videography
• CMJTS Work Based Learning
• Small Business Basics
• Food Truck
• CS Discoveries
• Community Health Worker
• Networking Basics
• CPR, First Aid & AED
• Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC
• CADD PLTW
• Tiny House
• Medical Terminology
• IGNITE Your Future
• Child Development
• Architecture PLTW
• Yellowstone Productions
• ProStart
• CEO
• Manufacturing
• Welding Principles
• CDL Training Program
• Intro to Education
• Pharmacy Tech
• AgDrone Technology
• Medical Careers Internship
• Industrial Const Methods
• PIC Work Based Learning
• Documentary Film Making
• CROW CAPS MAPS
• Work and Learn
• Pathways Technology
• YES! ECO Careers
• BEN CEO in the Classroom
   

CTE #1 Workforce Strategy

• Students who participate in CTE become employed locally at higher rates than other students;
• CTE programming can contribute to workforce retention by connecting students to local postsecondary institutions and local employers. This study finds that offering CTE courses with a work-based learning component (on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships) is part of the reason why CTE participants, and concentrators in particular, are retained at higher rates than other students;
• The dual goal of connecting students to local postsecondary institutions and local employers is best achieved when CTE programs attract students to fields that support jobs in local industries.

 

PRESENT

LYFT Career Pathways Funding

In 2022, The Rural Career and Technical Education Consortium Grant funded CTE efforts of 8 greater Minnesota Service Cooperatives (MSCs) through a legislative appropriation of $6 million shared by the MSCs.
 

LYFT Career Pathway Priorities 2023

• Teacher Preparation and Support
• Advancing Career Connected Learning
• Expanding Regional Awareness and Collaboration
• Ensuring Equitable Access to Advanced CTE
   

A Career and Technical Pathway Initiative for Southwest and West Central Minnesota

THRIVING COMMUNITIES

• Collaborative and Innovative
• Business Driven and Supported
• Student-Centered

School Districts, Higher Education, Workforce Agencies and Business work together to ensure student success

Business drives CTE program content and supports career awareness and skill development

ALL Students are aware of local/regional career opportunities, understand their interests & abilities, and are equipped to pursue a CTE pathway that best fits them
 

The 3E's Roadmap

Exploration

• Skills/Interest Assessments
• Employability Skills Class
• Interpersonal Skills Presentations
• Life Skills Event
• Summer Transitions Program

Exposure

• Tour of Manufacturing
• Senior Day
• Business Tour Day
• Job Shadows
• Breaking Traditions
• Job Shadow Day
• Middle School Mid-Mesters
• Career Fairs

Experience

• Summer Internship Program
• WBL Classes
• Apprenticeship
• Teacher Tour Day
• Internship Class
• Career Pathways Classes

 

Resources for Students/Educators

• What’s Next After High School Video: Focus on alternative options/decisions
• 3E’s Roadmap: Exploration, Exposure, Experience
• Resources/Worksheet: A portfolio of sorts. Coming soon, intuitive, online platform.

 

FUTURE

LYFT Career Pathways Funding

During this past legislative session, the Rural CTE Consortium appropriation was passed. The funding level increased from $6 million to $10 million. A 9th educational service cooperative from the Metro was added.
 

The Journey to Meaningful Workforce Participation…

The data shows that the choices students make in high school can predictably guide them to specific states of meaningful workforce participation later on.

Kelly Asche, Senior Researcher

“A new narrative is being developed that better links the educational plans and paths to local workforce demand. CTE programming indicates that having local ties to the labor force and increasing awareness among our youth of the local opportunities available is a key part of the path and plans that keep them in Southwest.”

We are making a difference…

“Coursework taken during high school, specifically career and technical education courses (CTE), appeared to be a definite factor in whether a student had meaningful workforce participation in the Southwest region after high school.”

Significantly higher percentages of individuals that either are CTE concentrators/completers or take at least one CTE course have meaningful workforce participation in Southwest MN one, five, and ten years after graduating high school, compared to the group that has no CTE experience. Data: MN OHE | MN DEED
 

2023 SW MN Priorities

• Teacher Preparation and Support
  • Externships
  • CTE/Work-based Learning Licensure
  • Program Approval
• Advancing Career Connected Learning
  • Career Connector/Navigator Resources
    • Career Exploration
    • Career Exposure
    • Career Experience
    • The 3Es Roadmap & Resources
  • Innovation Grants
  • Work-Based Learning (Credit/Work Experience)
  • Hosting Events for Students
    • Career Expos/Institutes
    • First-Tech Challenge
  • Career Consultant Program- coming soon!
  • 5th-8th Grade Career Exploration & Development
    • Project Discovery- New
    • Metier
    • TTOP Career Institute
• Student Entrepreneurship- Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO)
  • Southwest
  • West Central
  • Murray/Lyon
  • Cottonwood/Jackson
  • Coming soon! MN River Valley
  • Coming soon! Hwy 59 Corridor
• Development of New Student Organizations
• Expanding Awareness and Collaboration (Regional/Statewide)
  • Business Engagement
  • Summits, Workshops, etc.
  • Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council
  • Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
  • Office of Higher Education
  • Carl Perkins
  • Minnesota Service Cooperative CTE Consortium
• Ensuring Equitable Access to Advanced CTE
  • English Language Learners/Special Education/Non-traditional Careers
  • Project Discovery - New
     

Strategic Priorities 2024-2025

MN CTE Funding: PAST – CURRENT - FUTURE

PAST

• 2017 – 2022 SWWC - $3,000,000 – LYFT Career Pathways
• 2021 - 2022 SCSC and SSC - $3,000,000 - Future Ready CTE/FutureForward
• 2021 – 2022 Northeast/Northwest - $1,500,000 – Century Program

PRESENT (Through June 2024)

• 2022 – 2024 Rural MSC’s (8 - Metro Not Included) - $6,000,000

FUTURE

• 2024 – 2025 $5,000,000 to support MSC CTE Goals/Objectives
• 2025 – 2026 $5,000,000 to support MSC CTE Goals/Objectives
   

MSC CTE Consortium: Mission – Vision - Priorities

Mission: Leveraging statewide and regional approaches to ensure robust CTE experiences for students with an eye on future success.

Vision: All students have access to innovative, career-connected learning through a vibrant CTE education network with strong industry connections, providing students with the skills they need for their future.

Priorities: Equipping students for our future workforce through career-connected learning; Advancing collaborative partnership that accelerate quality learning; Strengthening CTE through school district and educator supports; Advancing statewide awareness and collabotation
 

MSC CTE – Statewide Priorities: 2024-25

Advancing Career Connected Exploration & Learning

• Innovation funding for new CTE programs and student experiences
• Career/WBL Coordination and Support
• Grades 5-8 Exposure/Exploration Programs
• Business and Community Engagement Models/Structures
• Intentional Supports for Opportunity Youth

Strengthening CTE Through School/Educator Supports

• CTE Alternative Licensure Program
• Development of Career Pathways/Academies
• CTE Teacher Induction Program
• Teacher Externships
• Funding to provide updated equipment/technology for schools (industry-aligned)

Advancing Statewide Collaborative Partnerships

• CTE Collaboration: Sharing/Learning/Evaluation
• Outreach/Relationship Building to Advance Collaboration (Business, Industry, Labor, Workforce, Higher Ed)
• CTE Marketing and Communications
   

2024-2025 Legislative MSC Funding

• HF 2497/SF 2684
• Education Finance Committee
• Career and Technical Education Consortium Grants
• Collaboration of the MN Service Cooperatives and other regional public/private partners
• $5 Million/Year

Funding Use:

• Develop career pathways
• Develop new CTE programs tied to regional industries/economy
• Equip students with technical/workplace skills
• Improve access to CTE programs by developing public/private partnerships and increasing postsecondary options
• Increase family/student awareness of CTE
• Provide industry-level equipment/technology
• Address teacher shortage in CTE
• Provide Prof Dev for teachers
• Provide transportation reimbursement for CTE student participation
   

Potential LYFT Priorities 2024-25

• Work-based Learning: State-approved; credit for learning
• Teacher Professional Dev/Support: Externships, CTE/WBL Licensure, Program Approval
• Equipment/Technology Upgrades w/ Training: Funding and training to provide student access to industry-aligned equipment/technology
• Career-Connected Learning: Career Consultants/Navigators to bridge relationships between education and industry in providing immersive experiences for students
• Innovation Grants: Grants to school districts in alignment with legislative funding requirements (local/regional career exposure, hands-on learning, community collaboration)
• Hosting Events for Students: Career Expos/Faris; Major Madness (post high school opportunities for EL, BIPOC, 1st gen); Career Institute (summer career exploration for 7-9th graders); Business tours; Events via SWWC/Perkins such as Sci/Nature Conference, Young Writers, Young Artists, Project Discovery, etc.)
• 5th-8th Grade Exploration: Programs/Experiences to help younger students explore career opportunities (Metier – Middle school programs); Career Institute; Project Discovery; Business Tours, etc.)
• Student Entrepreneurship: Support to advance Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program in high schools. Students visit over 30 area businesses, develop business skills via student business and mentors.
• New Student Orgs: Supporting new student organizations in high schools without access; orgs develop student leadership opportunities. Such as BPA, FFA, FCCLA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, First Tech Challenge, etc.
   

LYFT 2024-2025 Priorities

• Work-based Learning
• Teacher Prep/Support
• Equipment/Technology Upgrades w/ Training
• Career-Connected Learning
• Innovation Grants
• Hosting Events for Students
• 5th-8th Grade Exploration
• Student Entrepreneurship
• New Student Orgs

• How would you rank these priorities?
• What opportunities/challenges are you seeing?
• How can we best align this work with other regional/state efforts?
   

Annual Meeting Presentation Slides