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South Central Minnesota Resources

Here's a list of organizations and resources that can help you get the services you need to find a job, and the support services you need while you're looking for a job. This list includes WorkForce Centers, local career fairs, local resources for students, Adult Basic Education locations, and community services.

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1. Minnesota WorkForce Centers

   Think of the WorkForce Centers as your job search partner.
   WorkForce centers are open to everyone. They provide services to support you in your job search. At a WorkForce center, you can find out where the jobs are. You'll have the resources you need to apply for those jobs.

   Services you'll find at Minnesota WorkForce Centers:

   • Job listings and placement
     You'll find listings of local, state, and national jobs. You can also search online job listings through MinnesotaWorks.
   • Job search help and training
     Looking to improve your job seeking skills? Need help building your resume? WorkForce Centers offer workshops and individualized training to help you market yourself successfully.
   • Resource center
     Need a place to work on your job search? The resource center gives you free use of computers, printers, Internet, fax machines, and a resource library. You can make calls, send e-mails, and fax resumes.
   • Veteran's services
     Veterans receive individualized orientation to WorkForce Center services. They also receive help finding veteran's programs and services throughout Minnesota.
   • Specialized services for the blind or disabled
     WorkForce Centers have specialized programs for the blind or disabled. They work with job seekers so that a disability does not stand in the way of getting a good job.

2. South Central WorkForce Center Locations

   Mankato
   Mankato Place
   12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1600A
   Mankato, MN 56001
   Phone: 507-389-6723
   TTY: 507-389-6512
   Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday

   New Ulm
   1618 S Broadway St
   New Ulm, MN 56073
   Phone: 507-354-3138
   TTY: 507-354-3138
   Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday

   Fairmont
   412 S State St
   Fairmont, MN 56031
   Phone: 507-235-5518
   TTY: 507-235-5518
   Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday

   WorkForce Center Partners

   The South Central Workforce Council oversees employment and training services provided by the South Central WorkForce Center System.

3. Local Career Fairs

   Area Career Exploration Expo

   Did you miss the 2010 Area Career Exploration (ACE) Expo? You can still download the Career Exploration Resource Guide (1.06MB, .pdf). It includes career details and an assessment to match your interests to local employers.

   Watch video from the 2009 ACE Expo.

4. Local Resources for Students

   Use these resources to explore while thinking about job options:

   • Wind Industry Career Paths (981KB, .pdf)
   • Manufacturing Occupations in South Central Minnesota (145KB, .pdf)
   • Careers in Pork Production
   • Ethanol Career Paths (282, .pdf)
   • Minnesota Energy Careers
   • Health Care Careers

   View videos created by students at Minnesota Valley Education District in St. Peter
   Working with PACER, local area students created three of the videos in this YouTube Channel. The videos cover three topics aimed at students with disabilities: self-advocacy, healthy hobbies, and obtaining disability services in college.

   Youth Programs and Services
   Use this tool to find youth programs and services in your community.

5. Adult Basic Education

   Want to improve your skills for a better job, get your high school diploma, or gain the academic skills you need to go to college?

   If you answered yes to any of the above and you are 16 or older, then Adult Basic Education (ABE) is for you. ABE offers:

   • Basic skills classes
   • GED preparation
   • Computer classes
   • Workforce preparation
   • English as a second language (ESL)

   Search for ABE Programs.

6. Community Services

   Youth Programs and Services
   Use this tool to find youth programs and services in your community.

   Need other types of services, like child care or housing assistance, while you look for a job?

   There are organizations across South Central Minnesota to help you meet your family's needs.

   Minnesota Valley Action Council empowers people in low-wage work to secure affordable housing, viable transportation, employment, training for employment, and educational opportunities for children.

7. Business Services

   The Small Business Development Center promotes growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and improved management for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

   The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation supports regional businesses that innovate, especially those that use the resources in the region to develop high-tech products and services.

8. Regional and Local Resources

   Looking to relocate to South Central Minnesota, or want to see what it has to offer?

   Learn more about what communities in South Central have to offer by visiting their websites.

   • Explore Minnesota tourism site
   • Greater Mankato Growth, City of North Mankato and City of Mankato
   • Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Fairmont
   • Waseca Area Tourism and Visitor's Bureau
   • St. Peter Chamber of Commerce
   • New Ulm Chamber of Commerce
   • St. James Area Chamber of Commerce
   • Le Sueur Area Chamber of Commerce
   • Blue Earth Area Chamber of Commerce

   
   View South Central Communities in a larger map