The Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (SW MN PIC) and it partners received $35,922 in LYFT Pathways funding to expand its Youth Career Pathways Navigator services to serve all school districts in the 14-county service area (Economic Regions 6W and 8).

The three Navigators will serve as connectors between high schools and businesses to expand the number of work-based learning opportunities for students and to make sure they are developing the skills most desired by industry. The Navigators are instrumental in helping employers develop meaningful work-based learning experiences for students.

Schools included in this project include: Adrian, Benson, Canby, Cedar Mountain, Dawson-Boyd, ECHO Charter, Ellsworth, Heron Lake-Okabena, Hills-Beaver Creek, KMS, Lac qui Parle Valley, Lakeview, Lower Sioux, Luverne, MACCRAY, Minnesota River Valley ALC, Montevideo, Mountain Lake, Murray County Central, Ortonville, Pipestone, Project SEARCH, Red Rock Central, Redwood Area, Renville County West, Round Lake-Brewster, Southwest Christian, SWWC ELCs and ALCs, Wabasso, Westbrook-Walnut Grove and Yellow Medicine East. 

During the 2018-19 school year, 61 students participated.

During the 2019-20 school year, 1,073 students participated.

During the 2020-21 school year, 717 students participated.

During the 2021-22 school year, 269 students participated.

For more information contact the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council.