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County internship program presenters urge continued funding as retention tool
Summary
A Private Industries Council representative and county officials highlighted three current interns and data showing early local employer exposure increases the likelihood Southwest Minnesota graduates stay; presenters said host-site time and equipment costs are real and require continued investment.
Carla Goettke, identified in the meeting as the organization's chair, introduced three interns currently placed in Murray County and urged the Board of Commissioners to continue supporting the Private Industries Council internship program.
County materials presented a snapshot of internship placements and costs, saying 73% of placements in 2024–25 were public or county-funded and that host-site supervisors, trainers and mentors must invest staff time to coach interns. The presentation described early employer exposure as the strongest predictor that Southwest Minnesota graduates will remain in the region after finishing school.
County officials noted that host sites bear tangible costs beyond wages, including workstation access, software, compliance checks and supervision. Commissioner Mark Carlson and County Coordinator Sharon Giese discussed expanding advertising for placements and continuing to recruit host sites willing to commit supervisor hours.
The Board did not take a formal vote on additional county funding at the meeting. The conversation closed with requests for more outreach to potential employer hosts and continued tracking of placement outcomes.
