Otter Tail County Youth Workforce Navigation | Parent's Guide

YOUTH WORKFORCE
NAVIGATION
Parent’s Guide
Building the future workforce in

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This Youth Workforce Navigation Parent’s Guide was made to support
families with high school age students enrolled in schools in Otter
Tail County and its surrounding communities. The guide encourages
families to learn about the career exploration resources available.
The conversations and guidance you share with your student are
important. This Parent’s Guide will help you start talking to your
student about their future career.
The Youth Workforce Navigation Program was developed by Otter
Tail County. The program’s success is possible with support from
these partners.
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
Otter Tail County Community Development Agency
Cardinal Consulting Solutions and Amy Johnson
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Youth Skills
Training Program
2
Published in October 2023. Data and information current as of October 2023 unless
otherwise noted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is Youth Workforce Navigation?...............................................................2
Connection to Workforce Strategy.....................................................................3
How Does It Work?...................................................................................................4
Why is Career Exploration Important?..............................................................5
Career Fields in Demand........................................................................................6
Career Exploration Resources.............................................................................16
How Do I Help My Student Prepare for the Future?...................................17
Participating Schools.............................................................................................18
Youth Workforce Partners.....................................................................................19
Employers Engaging with Youth........................................................................20
Frequently Asked Questions...............................................................................21
1

YOUTH WORKFORCE NAVIGATION
The future of Otter Tail County’s workforce are students in our schools
today. To engage students in the exploration of career pathways and
help them discover their spark, Otter Tail County developed the Youth
Workforce Navigation Program.
The Youth Workforce Navigation Program is building
relationships between:
HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS
SCHOOLS
EMPLOYERS
These relationships will open doors for student career exploration,
which focuses on real-world applications and hands-on learning.
2

CONNECTION TO WORKFORCE
STRATEGY
Otter Tail County is addressing workforce shortage challenges in our
region with the action-oriented ‘OTC Works’ workforce strategy.
OTC WORKS
Opportunities • Training • Connections
The workforce strategy was developed in 2021 and focuses on three
actions to ensure all residents, including youth, are engaged in
the workforce.
Promote the
availability of
jobs with familysustaining
wages and
workforce resources in
the county
Help employers
promote their
opportunities
and recruit and
retain workers
more effectively
Create partnerships to
improve occupational
readiness, reduce barriers
to employment, and
align skills for future
workforce needs
Developing the future workforce through the Youth Workforce
Navigation Program is important to the health and success of the
county’s economy. To build a pipeline of highly skilled workers,
it is important that students understand the variety of local
career opportunities.
LEARN MORE
Scan the QR code to learn more about Otter Tail County’s
workforce development strategies. 3

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Youth Workforce Navigation can happen inside and outside
the classroom.
Inside the
Classroom
Outside the
Classroom
Classroom instruction
Classroom speakers
x
x
Industry-related field trips
x
Employer tours (in person & virtual) x x
Job shadowing
Internships
Paid work experience
x
x
x
Industry training & certifications x x
Student mentorship x x
Career fairs x x
4

WHY IS CAREER EXPLORATION
IMPORTANT?
Building relationships between schools and employers for career
exploration is important to these partners for the following reasons.
STUDENTS
Provide direction, tools, hands-on learning,
and support for students to help them get
where they want to go
Foster positive student relationships with
teachers and people in the community that
students would not otherwise have the
opportunity to learn from
EMPLOYERS
Build a pipeline of future workers with
the skills needed by local employers to fill
open positions
Increase employee engagement and
morale by involving them in training the
next generation
Address workforce shortage challenges to
support a resilient and growing economy
Development and retention of talent in the
county is part of economic development to
ensure thriving communities
Career exploration gets students interested, engaged, and feeling like
they have a valuable place in the world of work. Exposure to meaningful
work opportunities makes something “click” in a student’s mind.
LEARN MORE
Scan the QR code to watch a video of a student’s
perspective on why career exploration is important.
5

CAREER FIELDS IN DEMAND
The Minnesota Career Fields, Clusters & Pathways chart, developed by
the Minnesota Department of Education, shows the framework that
schools use for developing programs of study in career and technical
education programs.
Students can explore their career interests and aptitudes using this
framework. In school, students complete a personal assessment that
helps match their interests with career fields, clusters, and pathways.
A
The following pages break down the career fields, shown in the
segmented ring below, into career clusters and career pathways.
Career clusters are broad industries and career pathways are
occupational areas.
Agriculture, Food, &
Natural Resources
Business,
Management, &
Administration
Arts,
Communications,
& Information
Systems
Human
Services
Engineering,
Manufacturing,
& Technology
Health Science
Technology
6
LEARN MORE
Scan the QR code to view the full Career Fields, Clusters &
Pathways chart.

AGRICULTURE, FOOD, & NATURAL RESOURCES
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Animal Systems
Agribusiness Systems
Environmental Service Systems
Food Products and
Processing Systems
Natural Resources Systems
Plant Systems
Power, Structural, and
Technical Systems
Careers In Demand In This Field
Landscaping &
Groundskeeping Workers
Landscape or maintain grounds
of property using hand or power
tools or equipment
Median Annual Wage: $37,722
Education Requirement:
High school degree
or equivalent
Farm Equipment Mechanics
& Service Technicians
Diagnose, adjust, or repair
farm machinery and vehicles,
such as tractors, harvesters,
dairy equipment, and
irrigation systems
Median Annual Wage: $52,147
Education Requirement:
Vocational training
7

HEALTH SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
Health Science
Biotechnology Research and Development
Diagnostic Services
Support Services
Health Informatics
Therapeutic Services
Careers In Demand In This Field
Nursing Assistants
Provide or assist with basic care
or support under the direction
of onsite licensed nursing staff
Median Annual Wage: $37,961
Education Requirement:
Vocational training
Registered Nurses
Assess patient health problems
and needs, develop and
implement nursing care plans,
and administer nursing care
to patients
Median Annual Wage: $81,165
Education Requirement:
Associate’s Degree
8

ARTS, COMMUNICATIONS, &
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Arts, Audio/
Video Technology,
and Communications
Audio/Video Technology & Film
Journalism and Broadcasting
Performing Arts
Printing Technology
Communications Technology
Visual Arts
Information Technology
Information Support
and Services
Network Systems
Programming and
Software Development
Web and Digital
Communications
Careers In Demand In This Field
Telecommunications Line
Installers and Repairers
Install and repair
telecommunications cable,
including fiber optics
Median Annual Wage: $53,175
Education Requirement:
High school degree
or equivalent
Computer User
Support Specialists
Answer questions or resolve
computer problems for clients
in person, via telephone
or electronically
Median Annual Wage: $56,923
Education Requirement:
Vocational training
9

ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING,
& TECHNOLOGY
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance
Health, Safety, and Environmental Management
Logistics Planning and Management Services
Sales and Services
Transportation Operations
Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning,
Management, and Regulation
Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Engineering and Technology
Science and Mathematics
Architecture and Construction
Construction
Design/Pre-construction
Maintenance/Operations
10

Manufacturing
Production
Manufacturing Production Process Development
Maintenance, Installation, and Repair
Quality Assurance
Logistics and Inventory Control
Health, Safety, and Environmental Assurance
Careers In Demand In This Field
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
Truck Drivers
Drive a tractor-trailer
combination or a truck
Median Annual Wage: $51,692
Education Requirement:
High school degree
or equivalent
Machinists
Set up and operate a variety
of machine tools to produce
precision parts and instruments
out of metal
Median Annual Wage: $48,430
Education Requirement:
Vocational training
Carpenters
Construct, install, or repair
structures and fixtures made of
wood and comparable materials
Median Annual Wage: $52,031
Education Requirement:
High school degree
or equivalent
Industrial Engineers
Design, test, and evaluate
integrated systems for managing
industrial production processes
Median Annual Wage: $81,064
Education Requirement:
Bachelor’s Degree
11

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, & ADMINISTRATION
Marketing
Merchandising
Marketing Management
Marketing Communications
Marketing Research
Professional Sales
Business, Management, and Administration
Administrative Support
Operations Management
Business Information Management
Human Resources Management
General Management
Hospitality and Tourism
Lodging
Recreation, Amusements, and Attractions
Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services
Travel and Tourism
12

Finance
Banking Services
Business Finance
Securities and Investment
Accounting
Insurance
Careers In Demand In This Field
Loan Officers
Evaluate, authorize, or
recommend approval of
commercial, real estate, or
credit loans
Median Annual Wage: $75,823
Education Requirement:
High school degree or equivalent
Market Research Analysts
and Marketing Specialists
Gather information to determine
potential sales of a product/
service, or plan a marketing/
advertising campaign
Median Annual Wage: $61,577
Education Requirement:
Bachelor’s Degree
Office Clerks
Answering telephones,
bookkeeping, typing or word
processing, office machine
operation, and filing
Median Annual Wage: $40,135
Education Requirement:
High school degree or equivalent
Human
Resources Specialists
Recruit, screen, interview,
or place individuals within
an organization
Median Annual Wage: $65,009
Education Requirement:
Bachelor’s Degree
13

HUMAN SERVICES
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Correction Services
Emergency and Fire Management Services
Law Enforcement Services
Legal Services
Security and Protective Services
Government and Public Administration
Revenue and Taxation
Foreign Service
Governance
National Security
Planning
Public Management and Administration
Regulation
14

Human Services
Consumer Services
Counseling and Mental Health Services
Early Childhood Development and Services
Family and Community Services
Personal Care Services
Education and Training
Administration and Administrative Support
Professional Support Services
Teaching/Training
Careers In Demand In This Field
Social and Human
Services Assistants
Assist in providing client services
in the fields of psychology,
rehabilitation, or social work
Median Annual Wage: $41,027
Education Requirement: High
school degree or equivalent
Police and Sheriffs
Patrol Officers
Maintain order and protect
life and property by enforcing
local, tribal, state, or federal laws
and ordinances
Median Annual Wage: $64,102
Education Requirement:
Associate’s Degree
Elementary & Secondary
School Teachers
Teach academic and social skills to students in one or more subjects
Median Annual Wage: $62,210
Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree
15

EXPLORE CAREER RESOURCES
The following resources can help you and your student learn more
about careers in demand, industry data, and local employers offering
exploration activities. Scan the QR codes to explore these resources.
CareerWise by Minnesota State Colleges & Universities
Minnesota State’s resource to assess skills, watch career
description videos, plan for certifications and continuing
education, and explore careers in demand.
Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS)
Online career exploration system that offers educational
and labor market information, student surveys for career
interests and learning styles, information on colleges and
programs of study, and other employment resources.
Career Pathways Tool by Minnesota Department of
Employment and Economic Development
K12 Navigator
Tool that connects occupational data with the Career
Fields, Clusters & Pathways chart to help students
understand how their education path matches
employment opportunities.
A free online tool developed by Otter Tail County and
Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association to connect
career explorers with employers offering a variety of ways
to explore careers.
16

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Parents and guardians of students play an important role in preparing
their students for the future. Any connection or exposure that students
experience can help them gain a clearer idea of the career pathways
they are interested in. Here are five ways you can support career
exploration for students.
Volunteer to
mentor or
train a student
interning with
your employer.
Volunteer to speak to
your student’s classroom
about your job and
career pathway.
Classroom
Speaker
Think about ways you
or your employer could
bring real-world work
into class projects and
offer support for
hands-on learning.
Internship
Student
Project
Support
Job
Shadow
Company
Tour
Bring your student to work
with you and allow them to
see what a day in your career
can look like.
Organize an in-person
or virtual tour of your
employer for your
student’s class.
CONSIDER THIS
You know people with a variety of jobs, right? Have
you introduced your student to someone you know
who does a job your student is interested in?
17

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Start a conversation with your student about career exploration. The
following schools participate in the program. School counselors, Work-
Based Learning teachers, and Career and Technical Education (CTE)
teachers can continue the conversation with your student.
Fergus Falls Public Schools
fergusotters.org
218-998-0544
Perham-Dent Public Schools
perhamschools.org
218-346-6500
Wadena-Deer Creek
Public Schools
wdc2155.k12.mn.us
218-632-2155
Pelican Rapids Public Schools
www.pelicanrapids.k12.mn.us
218-863-5910
New York Mills Public Schools
nymills.k12.mn.us
218-385-2553
Underwood Public Schools
underwood.k12.mn.us
218-826-6101
Parkers Prairie Public Schools
isd547.org
218-338-6011
Battle Lake Public Schools
battlelake.k12.mn.us
218-864-5215
Frazee-Vergas Public Schools
www.frazee.k12.mn.us
218-334-3181
Rothsay Public Schools
rothsay.k12.mn.us
218-867-2116
18

Henning Public Schools
henning.k12.mn.us
218-583-2927
Ashby Public Schools
ashby.k12.mn.us
218-747-2257
Hillcrest Lutheran Academy
ffhillcrest.org
218-739-3371
iQ Academy Minnesota
iqacademymn.k12.com
877-994-4766
YOUTH WORKFORCE PARTNERS
The collaborative Youth Workforce Navigation work is supported by
the following partners.
Minnesota State Centers of
Excellence | minnstate.edu/coe
The centers provide expertise
and comprehensive resources for
employers and schools in all areas
of industry.
Rural MN CEP | rmcep.com
Regional workforce agency
that offers services and
funding for youth with income
and accessibility barriers
to career exploration and
career development.
Chambers of Commerce & Cities
Local economic and community
development partners provide
access to groups of employers
for promotion and information
sharing.
Lakes Country Service
Cooperative | lcsc.org
Regional service cooperative
provides access to groups
of teachers and school
administrators to ensure schools
have the teacher certifications in
place for compliance and student
safety.
State of Minnesota | mn.gov
State agencies, including the
Department of Employment
and Economic Development,
Department of Labor and
Industry, and Department of
Education, provide various
funding, data, support services,
and compliance guidelines for the
local program.
19

EMPLOYERS ENGAGING WITH
YOUTH
The following employers have received approval from the Minnesota
Department of Labor and Industry as Youth Skills Training employers.
This approval allows safe, healthy, and meaningful paid work
experience in high-growth, in-demand, and living-wage industries.
Approved employers as of October 2023.
This Parent’s Guide publication was made possible by support from the
following employers engaging with youth in Otter Tail County.
20
LEARN MORE
Scan the QR code to visit the K12 Navigator for a full list
of employers engaging with youth.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Youth Workforce Navigation and what’s the goal?
The Youth Workforce Navigation Program is student career exploration.
It focuses on real-world applications and hands-on learning. The goal
is to engage students in the exploration of career pathways and help
them discover their spark for a future career.
What age group is this program for?
The Youth Workforce Navigation Program works with high school
age students in grades 9-12, but there are resources featured in this
Parent’s Guide for younger students to explore careers.
How do I get my student involved?
Your high school student is likely already participating in Youth
Workforce Navigation at school through classroom speakers, careerbased
curriculum, and other activities. To explore more ways to engage
in career exploration, including job shadows, internships, and industry
certifications, work with your student to reach out to their counselor
or teachers.
Why is Otter Tail County involved?
Addressing workforce shortage challenges in the county is important
to the health and success of our economy. To have a resilient and
growing employer community, Otter Tail County invests in and
supports work to find, keep, and train workers.
Why was the Parent’s Guide made?
The Parent’s Guide was made to inform families with students enrolled
in schools in Otter Tail County and its surrounding communities about
the career exploration resources available. The production of the guide
was funded by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Youth
Skills Training Grant, Otter Tail County, and local employers.
21

520 W. Fir Avenue
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
Looking for more information about the
Youth Workforce Navigation Program:
ottertailcounty.gov/otc-works