REACH: October 2020
REACH exists to prepare southeast Minnesota high school students for future careers in order to provide an employment ready, skilled workforce for major industry sectors in the greater Winona area.
Success in the New Economy
This video was created to help a broader audience begin to understand preparation today for tomorrow’s labor market realities. It makes a compelling case for students to explore career choices early and to consider technical skill acquisition, real-world application and academics (career technical programs) in tandem with a classic education. This balanced approach to life and learning results in a well-educated and employed workforce.
Did you know?
REACH is now in three school districts
Lewiston-Altura (manufacturing/trades and agribusiness)
Wabasha-Kellogg (manufacturing/trades)
Winona Area Public Schools (manufacturing/trades and health and human services)
September/October 2020
All REACH presentations have continued as usual, with the exception of being virtual. The soft skills presentations that the junior students have had include:
  • Personality assessment
  • Personal Pitch
  • Resume writing and review by professional HR staff
  • Interview techniques and mock interviews
  • Team Player Training
In addition, specific industry training has occurred for each of our cohorts. Juniors in manufacturing/trades had an introduction to OSHA, while seniors will have an introduction to ISO. Juniors in health and human services received dementia-friendly community and vulnerable adult training.
Interview Techniques
DeAnna Goddard
Associate Director
Career Services
Winona State University
Personal Pitch
Dr. Christine Beech
Executive Director
Kabara Institute for
Entrepreneurial Studies
Additional Support for REACH Students
In past years, we would have business awareness presentations in the classrooms or bring students to a business site. Current restrictions for both school and business do not allow this so we are getting creative with career exploration this year.
  • Many businesses and professional groups have shared video resources that focus specifically on careers. These videos have been compiled on our website and shared with REACH teachers, as well as all education contacts in southeastern MN and western WI.
  • CareerForce MN has purchased memberships to Road Trip Nation, a unique career exploration site that focuses on interviews with people in different careers. The focus is on young adults and contains career research done by the students, not created by adults.
  • Each REACH student schedules at least one virtual meeting with our intern to update career interests and offer assistance. Based on the student's interest, the intern makes connections with local professionals in the listed career fields to schedule virtual interviews with the student.
Machine Tool & Die
CNA Training Center
Benedictine Health
Become a REACH Partner
Becoming a partner with the REACH program will help ensure that our next generation of qualified, skilled workers will be prepared to meet the future demands of our local agribusiness, building trades, health & human services and manufacturing needs. Invest in your workforce pipeline by becoming a REACH partner today. What do we need?
  • "Classroom" speakers to cover both soft skills and technical job skills
  • Work supplies to support hands-on teaching in the classroom (this is often excess supplies a business cannot use but are great for teaching)
  • Committee members to serve on the specific industry committees with education partners in order to make programming decisions
  • Immersion site hosts will be needed when we can return on-site
  • Internship sites for our seniors through the Youth Skills Training program with the Department of Labor