On any given day, there are more than 175 jobs open and available for workers in Southwest Minnesota, ranging from manufacturing engineers to network & computer systems administrators to home health aides to truck drivers. In addition, about 6,000 jobs are expected to be created and nearly 20,000 jobs will be available due to retirements and replacements in Southwest Minnesota over the next ten years.

Indeed, we live in a constantly changing economy. Corporate reorganizations, new technologies and global competition affect all our lives. Workers today will hold many jobs and will change careers several times. Workers who keep up with change will see greater potential for personal growth and economic security.

One area of change is the way people look for work. It isn't enough to be ready and willing to work. A successful job search today requires a calculated effort. Job seekers not only need marketable job skills, they need the skills to market themselves. You may be motivated toward employment, and you may be good at what you do, but if you cannot convince a potential employer that you're the most qualified, you will not be the one who wins the job. Today's successful job seekers use a variety of skills and strategies that can be learned. Your local WorkForce Center can assist you in mastering your job search. Investment in learning this information will provide job seekers an opportunity to reap benefits such as:

• Shorter time to obtain a new job
• Increase in the number of interviews and job offers
• Higher starting wage
• Reduced fear of unemployment
• Increase in potential for job satisfaction

MinnesotaWorks.net
Create an account for yourself and search thousands of job openings! You can track the jobs you've applied for and apply
for jobs online with your resume. This service is offered at no cost for job seekers or employers. On a daily basis, more than
175 jobs are listed as open and available in the Southwest Minnesota region!

ISEEK Southwest Region Local Job Listings
ISEEK has compiled a list of regional news outlets with online classified job listings and an extensive set of links to organizations and businesses with online job listings or online employment applications.

Minnesota WorkForce Centers & Veteran's Services
WorkForce Centers (WFCs) are a collaboration of partners, including the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, and local community agencies. Students, people seeking work, businesses seeking employees, and those looking for a first job or returning to the workforce will find services to meet their needs offered at no cost. Each WFC houses a Resource Area offering computers with high-speed Internet connections and email access, phones, fax machines, and printers. Resource Areas have knowledgeable staff ready to guide you through all the steps of your job search and career planning process. Many state and federal programs exist to ensure that Minnesota veterans get specialized employment and training services. Minnesota's Veterans Employment Representatives work with local businesses and veterans.

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Marshall
Lyon County Courthouse
607 W. Main Street
Marshall, MN 56258
Phone: 507.537.6236
Veteran's Rep: Ron Kellen
Website: www.swmnpic.org; www.mnwfc.org/marshall/

 

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Montevideo
Post Office Building
202 North 1st Street
Montevideo, MN 56265
Phone: 320.269.8819
Veteran's Rep: Dave Heidebrink, Ron Kellen
Website: www.swmnpic.org; www.mnwfc.org/montevideo/

 

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Worthington
Nobles County Government Center
318 9th Street
Worthington, MN 56187-2342
Phone: 507.376.3116
Veteran's Rep: Ron Kellen
Website: www.swmnpic.org; www.mnwfc.org/worthington/

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU)
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 colleges and universities, including 25 two-year colleges and seven state universities, which are separate from the University of Minnesota. The 14-County Southwest Minnesota region is home to Southwest Minnesota State University and five campuses of Minnesota West Community & Technical College.

Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Canby - Granite Falls - Jackson - Pipestone - Worthington
Phone: 800.658.2330
Website: www.mnwest.edu
Enrollment: 4,354 total students served; 2,154 full-year equiv. enrollment
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, certificates, diplomas
Largest Programs: Nursing, collision repair, electrician, liberal arts, powerline
Unique Programs: Renewable energy technology, wind energy technician, power sports technology, law enforcement, biotechnology lab technician

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall
Phone: 800.642.0684
Website: www.smsu.edu
Enrollment: 7,221 total students; 3,695 full-year equiv. enrollment
Degrees Offered: Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, certificates
Largest Programs: Business administration, education, accounting, math/computer science, wellness and human performance (physical education), social work
Unique Programs: Global studies, honors program, radio/television, culinology, agribusiness management, indigenous nations/Dakota studies

Southwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center & Southwest Initiative Foundation
Whether you're a business owner looking for ways to expand your business, or you're just starting out, the Southwest Minnesota Center of Rural Entrepreneurship (CORE), Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) can help. If you're already in business, consultants can analyze your business situation and help you develop tools for growth: a good business plan, financial analysis, or a marketing strategy. We can also help you identify sources of financing. If you have an idea for a new venture, CORE, SBDC, & SWIF specialists can help you develop a sound business plan and provide basic information on where to start.

Southwest Minnesota Center of Rural Entrepreneurship
The Center of Rural Entrepreneurship (CORE) began with a group of stakeholders who recognized a need in Southwest Minnesota for a tool that would provide a streamlined path to entrepreneurial resources. This tool was created to fit the needs of the start-up, existing and transitional entrepreneurs and the needs of resource providers. CORE also recognizes that entrepreneurs come in all age groups consisting of youth, mainstream and senior. CORE can be seen as a business plan that is a "living document" that will continually grow and evolve as needs and the economy change.
Phone: 800.594.9480
Website: www.swmncore.com
E-mail: info@swmncore.com

Southwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center
Marshall - Southwest Minnesota State University
Phone: 507.537.7386
Website: www.smsu.edu/sbdc/
E-mail: sbdc@smsu.edu
Contact: Liz Struve, Regional Director

Southwest Initiative Foundation
Hutchinson
Phone: 800.594.9480
Website: www.swifoundation.org
E-mail: info@swifoundation.org
Contact: Sherry Ristau, Chief Executive Officer

Southwest Initiative Foundation's “Just Imagine” Mini-Documentary
The Southwest Initiative Foundation has produced a mini-documentary about the opportunities Southwest Minnesota has to prepare for a bright and prosperous future. The video explores four areas that will be critical to the region's future growth and shows examples of progress and innovation in our region today. It is the Southwest Initiative Foundation's hope that this video will spark dialogue and brainstorming about how we can help Southwest Minnesota adapt and thrive in a changing world.

Renewable Energy Career Information
Minnesota Renewable Career Pathways: Ethanol
According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ethanol is a $3 billion-a-year industry in Minnesota, supporting 11,000 jobs. Duane Carrow, the Program Director for Renewable Energy Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, says that "jobs in the renewable fuels industry can be classified as 'gold collar' jobs - those that combine both thinking and doing." A typical ethanol plant employs 35 to 50 people, depending on capacity and processing technology, and according to Bob Abbott, the human resources manager for VeraSun Energy in Brookings, SD, "60% of the jobs in an ethanol plant involve skills that can be acquired in a two-year associate degree program." Brian Jennings, the Executive Director of the American Coalition for Ethanol says that "workforce needs are extraordinary and some plants are having difficulty 'keeping up' in terms of finding and retaining quality employees." The "Ethanol Career Pathways" brochure contains information on the workforce needs of the ethanol industry.

A Guide To Finding Your Place In The Renewable Energy Field
Mention "renewable energy" and "Minnesota" in the same sentence, and you probably think of ethanol or biodiesel. But there's more going on in alternative energies than making fuel for cars. Biomass, wind energy, and solar power have also experienced serious growth in recent years. The result: jobs. Minnesota is a hotbed of renewable energy resources, and Minnesota West is training the workforce to lead the charge. Want to learn more about today's energy sector and how to find your place in it? Read this web book from Minnesota West, a comprehensive community & technical college with five Southwestern Minnesota campuses and three learning centers. The High Energy publication was made possible in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Minnesota Renewable Career Pathways: Wind
By the year 2020, Minnesota's largest electric utility will produce 30 percent of its power with renewable resources. By 2025, all Minnesota utilities will produce 25 percent of their power using renewable sources. Minnesota is the fourth largest wind energy producer in America. Minnesota is among the top 10 states in the nation with the best wind energy potential. The Wind Energy Career Pathways brochure contains information on the workforce needs of the wind power industry including construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and development.

Fields of Energy - Minnesota Department of Agriculture
The mission of Minnesota Ag In The Classroom (MAITC) is to promote understanding and awareness of the importance of agriculture. MAITC has been delivering agricultural literacy to students and educators since 1986. Our educational materials and programs provide a wealth of opportunities for integrating agriculture into the core K-12 curriculum.
Preview the Ethanol segment (WMV: 13.5 MB)
Preview the Cellulose segment (WMV: 7.96 MB)
Preview the Biodiesel segment (WMV: 8.26 MB)

Minnesota Energy Careers website
Find energy careers you'd like, explore careers in energy, and energy industries. The Minnesota Energy Careers website (www.MnEnergyCareers.org) serves Minnesotans interested in energy careers. If you are a student, job seeker, or career changer, the website can help you research energy careers, learn about energy education options, and find Minnesota energy employers. The Minnesota Energy Careers website offers career descriptions in four main energy industries: traditional electric utilities, renewable energy generation, electric and gas distribution, and energy efficiency building operations.

Southwest Adult Basic Education
Southwest Adult Basic Education (ABE) provides educational opportunities for area adults wishing to acquire or enhance their basic education. The Southwest ABE plays an important role in improving the overall quality of the families and children in Minnesota communities by providing learner-centered, flexible, individualized instruction and support services to adult learners to enable them to participate fully and effectively in society as workers, consumers, family members and citizens.

Granite Falls Region	Jackson Region
Minnesota West Community & Technical College	Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Phone: 320.564.4511 or 800.657.3247	Phone: 507.847.3320 ext. 127 or 800.658.2522
Contact: Jennifer Rud	Contact: Dona Anderson
E-mail: Jennifer.Rud@mnwest.edu	E-mail: Dona.Anderson@mnwest.edu
Marshall Region	Worthington Region
Lyon County Government Center	ISD 518 - Worthington Schools
Phone: 507.537.7046	Phone: 507.372.2172
Contact: Pat Thomas	Contact: Jerry Fiola
E-mail: marshallabe@starpoint.net	E-mail: Jerry.Fiola@isd518.net

ISEEK Southwest Region Occupations in Demand
Many jobseekers aren’t aware of the great opportunities available to them in Southwest Minnesota, especially in large and/or emerging industries like health care, renewable energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. This website is here to help you start planning for your career by showing you occupations and employers in this region. Find out what careers are growing, what skills and training are needed to get these jobs, what types of industries employ these occupations, and even what they pay. Explore this site and get started on a better future today.

Southwest Minnesota Careers Regional Supplement
Research careers in demand within the Southwest Minnesota region, including information on the projected growth rates, regional wages, and required education and training.

Resume Help and Creative Job Search
Making a good first impression is important. Applications, cover letters, and resumes are most often your first contact with a potential employer. Most employers will not meet with you if your application is not filled out properly or your resume is written poorly. Below are related Internet sites, software, books, videos and workshops, which are available at your nearest WorkForce Center.

ISEEK The Job Application Tools section includes tips for resumes, cover letters, job applications, references and more. MCIS: Minnesota Career Information System (you can obtain a username and password at a local WorkForce Center) The Job Search section includes tips for writing resumes and cover letters. Minnesota Careers (MnCareers) The Job Preparation section includes tips and resources for preparing for a job. The Career Corner Job search and interviewing advice from the quarterly newsletter.

General Resume Assistance Creative Job Search The Resume and Cover Letters section of this job search guide includes tips for resume writing, example resume formats, and worksheets for completing your own resume. Electronic Portfolio (eFolio Minnesota) A multimedia electronic portfolio designed to help you create a living showcase of your education, career and personal achievements. Resume Tutorial A step-by-step guide for writing a resume with links for additional information. Riley Guide: Resumes and Cover Letters Collection of resume articles and resources. Include an article on preparing your resume for the Internet and the differences between a scannable and Internet version of a resume. University of Minnesota Resume Tutor An interactive workbook designed to make resume writing easier.

Note: Southwest Minnesota Careers claims no responsibility for the content of these sites. Users are encouraged to exercise caution when dealing with businesses, organizations and individuals on the Internet.