To the Editor:

As chairwoman of the South Central Workforce Council, which provides oversight of workforce development in south-central Minnesota, I am excited to welcome Steve Pierce as a new council member. He brings a strong and sturdy base of workforce knowledge from his many years on the Joint Powers board, and we are excited to have him as a new member.

Also on our council is Linsey Preuss, Fairmont’s new economic development director; and Connie Hines, Fairmont Workforce Center director, so our area is well represented.

The Workforce Council is dedicated to helping each individual be prepared with the right skills for the developing job market.

Fairmont’s summer youth apprenticeship program is a local success that is not only featured as a South Central highlight, I also mentioned it at a Healthcare/Education/Industry Partnership meeting in the Twin Cities, where this awesome Fairmont program met with great enthusiasm.

Deb Barnes

executive director,

Lakeview Methodist

chairwoman,

South Central Workforce Council

Fairmont