LYFT Career Pathways Grants Support Student Learning in Willmar

Students in Willmar will gain new opportunities to explore careers and real-world learning thanks to LYFT Career Pathways grants awarded to two local schools.

DREAM Technical Academy and the Willmar Area Learning Center each received a $1,000 grant connected to the LYFT Career Pathways Annual Meeting, held this year at Ridgewater College in Hutchinson. The grants were made possible through the support of the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF), a founding partner of the LYFT Career Pathways initiative.

The grants were announced during the LYFT Career Pathways Annual Meeting at Ridgewater College, where educators, employers, and community partners gathered to strengthen career-connected learning across Southwest Minnesota.

Removing Barriers to Hands-On Career Experiences

The Willmar Area Learning Center (ALC) plans to use its grant to expand opportunities for students to participate in hands-on career exploration activities.

Funding will help support transportation and coordination for job shadow experiences, provide resources for internships and work-based learning placements, and strengthen life-skills programming designed to prepare students for the workforce.

The ALC serves students in grades 9–12 through a flexible learning model that includes individualized instruction, smaller class sizes, and credit recovery options. These programs help students stay on track while gaining valuable exposure to careers and workplace skills.

According to Katie Schieck, principal of alternative programs for Willmar Public Schools, experiential learning opportunities can make a powerful difference for students.

“Many students benefit from experiential learning opportunities. This funding helps remove logistical and financial barriers so students can participate in job shadows, internships, and career exploration activities that build confidence, skills, and a clearer vision for their future.”

Connecting Learning Beyond the Classroom

At DREAM Technical Academy, the grant will support a spring break trip to Washington, D.C., giving students an opportunity to experience history, government, and career exploration firsthand.

DREAM serves students in grades 7–12 and uses a project-based learning approach that encourages students to guide their own learning through hands-on projects and real-world connections.

The trip will allow students to explore national landmarks and gain exposure to career pathways connected to government, public service, and civic leadership.

“Receiving the $1,000 grant from Southwest Initiative Foundation at the LYFT Career Pathways annual meeting at Ridgewater College is an incredible honor,” said Mark Meier, school counselor at DREAM Technical Academy. “For many of our students, this opportunity would not be possible without support like this.”

Why Career Pathways Matter for Southwest Minnesota

Career and technical education (CTE) plays an important role in helping communities across Southwest Minnesota retain and grow their workforce.

Research from the Center for Rural Policy and Development shows that only about one-quarter of the region’s high school graduates ultimately find long-term employment locally. However, students who complete more CTE coursework are significantly more likely to work in their home communities after graduation.

Initiatives like Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) help address this challenge by introducing students to local careers earlier and connecting them with real-world experiences through partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations.

“The energy at this year’s LYFT Career Pathways meeting was incredible,” said Eriann Faris, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative CTE Project Coordinator who leads the LYFT initiative. “It was inspiring to see so many passionate professionals come together to support the future of our region.”

Building Stronger Communities Through Partnerships

The LYFT Career Pathways initiative focuses on helping students explore careers close to home while building stronger connections between education and local industries.

Through collaboration with partners like the Southwest Initiative Foundation, schools across Southwest Minnesota are expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, discover career possibilities, and prepare for their futures.

As partnerships continue to grow, efforts like these help strengthen both the regional workforce and the communities that depend on it.