Why Career and Technical Education Matters in Southwest Minnesota

Career and technical education helps students connect what they are learning today with what they could do after high school. In Southwest Minnesota, these experiences also help students discover the strong career opportunities available close to home.

That connection matters. Research from the Center for Rural Policy and Development found that Southwest Minnesota graduates who participated in career and technical education (CTE) were more likely to have meaningful workforce participation in the region years after high school.
 

What is career and technical education?

Career and technical education combines classroom learning with career exploration and hands-on skill building. Depending on the program, students may explore agriculture, business, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, skilled trades and other career fields.

CTE can include courses, employer visits, job shadows, internships, industry-recognized credentials and opportunities to earn college credit. It supports many paths after graduation, including entering the workforce, attending a technical or two-year college, or pursuing a four-year degree.
 

Why does CTE matter for students?

Students make stronger decisions when they can experience careers before choosing their next step. A class, workplace tour, or conversation with a local professional can introduce a student to a career they had never considered.

Through CTE, students can:

• Explore their interests and strengths.
• Build technical and workplace skills.
• Learn what education or training different careers require.
• Connect with employers and professionals in the region.
• Make more informed plans for life after high school.

CTE does not point every student toward the same destination. It gives students more information and experience so they can choose the path that best fits them.
 

How does CTE support Southwest Minnesota?

Young people cannot consider local careers if they do not know those opportunities exist. Career and technical education helps schools, businesses, and communities show students what is possible in Southwest Minnesota.

The Center for Rural Policy and Development followed more than 38,000 Southwest Minnesota graduates for up to 11 years after high school. The study found that students with some CTE experience were more likely than students with no CTE experience to have meaningful workforce participation in the region one, five, and 10 years after graduation.

The findings show a connection between CTE participation and regional employment, not a guarantee that every CTE student will remain in the area. Still, they reinforce the value of helping students build local connections early.
 

Building pathways together

Strong career pathways depend on partnership. Schools provide career exploration and skill-building opportunities. Businesses bring careers to life through tours, classroom visits, job shadows, internships and other work-based learning experiences. Families and communities can help students understand that success can take many forms.

LYFT Career Pathways brings these partners together to expand career-connected learning across Southwest Minnesota. When students can explore, expose, and experience careers, they are better prepared for what comes next and more likely to see the opportunities available right here in our region.