Brooke is an 18-year-old high school student in southwest Minnesota with lots of ambition and a strong desire to become a welder.
Unfortunately, she’s run into barriers in the past to successfully completing her education and finding stable employment due to a disability.
Now, thanks to Brooke’s drive and determination – and support from Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council (SWMNPIC) employment and disability resources – Brooke has successfully completed a welding certificate program that aligns with her long-term career goals and she's working at a parttime job while she finishes high school.
To serve Brooke, Leading CareerForce Partner SWMNPIC leveraged funding from an Employment Transition Model (ETM) Demonstration Grant administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). DEED received one of four such demonstration grants awarded nationally in 2024. By the end of the 5-year ETM program in 2029, it is expected that 822 young people throughout Greater Minnesota will be served, with 493 of those youth placed in employment and 247 enrolled in postsecondary education.
SWMNPIC staff supported Brooke’s welding training application, provided required gear and transportation assistance, and helped arrange assistive technology to ensure accessible learning materials at Minnesota West Technical College, so that Brooke could successfully participate in the welding certificate program.
Her progress illustrates how early, individualized employment supports, can improve disability employment outcomes for youth.
Prior to enrolling in SWMNPIC services, Brooke held several part-time jobs but encountered ongoing barriers related to management practices, limited training and lack of appropriate workplace accommodations. These challenges affected her ability to succeed and remain in positions despite her motivation to work. She had a long-standing interest in welding, inspired in part by her mother’s career in the field. However, Brooke lacked access to information, resources and supports needed to move toward this goal.
Beginning in March 2025, Brooke worked with an employment specialist to complete career exploration and participate in a paid work experience. After similar barriers emerged, she enrolled in ETM in June 2025 and received enhanced support from SWMNPIC, including help securing a new part-time job, accessing appropriate workplace accommodations, mentorship for completing her written driver’s test, and coordination with her high school case manager.
With ongoing support from SWMPIC, Brooke completed a six-credit welding certificate at Minnesota West Technical College in December 2025 and is now working in unsubsidized employment while completing high school. She plans to enroll in the 1-year Welding Diploma program at Minnesota West Technical College in Fall 2026. Doing so positions Brooke for entry into an in-demand career with family-sustaining wages in rural Minnesota.
Thanks to her drive and determination to pursue her career goals – along with support from SWMNPIC through the DEED administered ETM funding – Brooke is now well on her way to career success.
- Find out more about DEED Youth Programs that help young Minnesotans with barriers to education and employment pursue their career goals
- Learn about how Minnesota is implementing programs through the ETM demonstration grant from DOL ODEP
- Contact staff at a CareerForce location near you for employment and training programs in your part of Minnesota
