https://www.rmcep.com Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. News Feed Mon, 14 Sep 2026 09:59:30 +0000 en-US https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69158/minnesotas-minimum-wage-standards-for-nursing-home-workers-in-effect-sept-10 https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69158/minnesotas-minimum-wage-standards-for-nursing-home-workers-in-effect-sept-10 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 For Immediate ReleaseSept. 10, 2026Minimum wage standards for nursing home workers across Minnesota take effect Sept. 10, 2026, following federal approval of the State Plan Amendment by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Aug. 11, 2026.The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and the Nursing Home Workforce... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69126/rmcep-helps-leigh-find-fulfilling-employment-on-a-new-career-path https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69126/rmcep-helps-leigh-find-fulfilling-employment-on-a-new-career-path Tue, 08 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Leigh wanted to pursue a new career path to help support his family. With a wife and child at home, he was motivated to secure reliable, full-time employment that would allow him to regain financial self‑sufficiency and provide for his family.To support this transition, Leigh enrolled in the Drive for... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69094/september-is-workforce-development-month! https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69094/september-is-workforce-development-month! Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 In Minnesota, we celebrate Workforce Development month in September — a time to highlight how workforce development professionals across the state are connecting Minnesotans with employment and helping employers hire the staff they need for their businesses to thrive. It's also an opportunity to reach out to those with barriers... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69004/rmcep-receives-cantrain-cannabis-grant-to-provide-training-in-the-cannabis-industry https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/69004/rmcep-receives-cantrain-cannabis-grant-to-provide-training-in-the-cannabis-industry Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Are you curious or interested in what the growing cannabis business in Minnesota has to offer? Are you looking to jump-start a new career in the cannabis industry? If yes, Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc., can help provide information, answers, and the training to do so. RMCEP has obtained funding to... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68896/growing-careers-funded-training-helps-justin-shift-his-career-into-higher-gear https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68896/growing-careers-funded-training-helps-justin-shift-his-career-into-higher-gear Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Justin has always been someone who takes pride in his work and in providing for his family. As a husband and father of five, he understands the importance of steady employment and long‑term stability. When the nonprofit organization he worked for closed and he was laid off from his non‑CDL... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68809/minnesota-job-growth-outpaces-us-over-the-year https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68809/minnesota-job-growth-outpaces-us-over-the-year Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 New data from July show that over the year, Minnesota added 44,092 jobs, a 1.5% increase that significantly outpaced the national job growth rate of 0.2% according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota's private sector also grew 1.5% over the year compared... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68769/cherie-credits-leading-careerforce-partner-with-helping-her-find-new-employment-after-long-time-out-of-the-workforce https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68769/cherie-credits-leading-careerforce-partner-with-helping-her-find-new-employment-after-long-time-out-of-the-workforce Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Finding employment after a long time out of the workforce can be a major challenge, even if a person has work experience and educational credentials.Cherie came to Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) after being out of work for four years. Cherie held an Associate of Arts degree and while... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68597/the-state-of-northwest-minnesotas-labor-market-loosening-but-not-unraveling https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68597/the-state-of-northwest-minnesotas-labor-market-loosening-but-not-unraveling Mon, 03 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Northwest Minnesota's unemployment rate is rising, and 2026 is off to its highest start of the decade. If you stop there, the story sounds alarming.But a single labor market data point rarely tells a true story, and this time is not an exception. Beneath the headline unemployment rate lies a... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68480/apply-to-the-good-jobs-employer-designation-program-today https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68480/apply-to-the-good-jobs-employer-designation-program-today Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Companies across northwest Minnesota can apply for the Good Jobs Employer Designation, an initiative by Rural Minnesota CEP, Inter-County Community Council, and the Regional Workforce Alliance that recognizes companies for making employees feel valued, supported, and connected to a purpose.“Many employers are already doing the right things: they invest in... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68212/after-six-months-state-paid-leave-program-is-supporting-75000-minnesotans https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68212/after-six-months-state-paid-leave-program-is-supporting-75000-minnesotans Tue, 07 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 In the first six months of successful operations, about 75,000 Minnesotans have been approved to receive benefit payments under the state's new Paid Leave program, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Paid Leave offers payments and job protections to Minnesota workers who need time to... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68091/laid-off-after-30-years-at-the-same-company-lori-turns-to-rmcep-for-help https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68091/laid-off-after-30-years-at-the-same-company-lori-turns-to-rmcep-for-help Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Lori came to Leading CareerForce Partner Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) after a recent mass layoff that ended her 32-year tenure with the same employer. Lori was suddenly faced with the uncertainty of unemployment after decades of stable work. The transition was both financially and emotionally challenging, as she... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68090/minnesota-unemployment-down-in-may-but-fewer-people-sought-work https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68090/minnesota-unemployment-down-in-may-but-fewer-people-sought-work Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Minnesota's job numbers for May are a mixed bag.The state saw job growth and a small drop in unemployment, which fell to 4.4 percent in May. But that’s at least partially because fewer people are looking for jobs.“The unemployment rate going down is a mix of more people getting jobs,... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68049/rmcep-didnt-just-help-me-start-my-education-it-helped-me-change-the-course-of-my-life https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/68049/rmcep-didnt-just-help-me-start-my-education-it-helped-me-change-the-course-of-my-life Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Stephanie came to Leading CareerForce Partner Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) in late 2014 looking for help with school. She felt the idea of college was "out of reach" for her at the time, especially as a single mom of a two-year-old. RMCEP provided the financial support, confidence and... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67854/pathways-to-prosperity-client-sparks-new-future https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67854/pathways-to-prosperity-client-sparks-new-future Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Melody was a Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) program participant at the Fergus Falls office of Leading CareerForce partner Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP). Melody was formerly incarcerated and is currently in recovery from addiction; she overcame these significant barriers to employment and is now working full-time and progressing toward... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67666/three-rural-minnesota-cep-employees-recognized-at-the-2026-mfiptribal-tanf-conference https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67666/three-rural-minnesota-cep-employees-recognized-at-the-2026-mfiptribal-tanf-conference Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Team members from the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) attended the annual conference for the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This state-level conference featured valuable discussions about building community connections, establishing adult career pathways, and empowering workers through technology.The conference also... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67406/rmcep-expands-minnesota-retain-support-across-the-region https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67406/rmcep-expands-minnesota-retain-support-across-the-region Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. is proud to support Minnesota RETAIN (Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network) by promoting the valuable services available for individuals seeking to return to work after an illness or injury and employers who need support to identify and fund necessary accommodations. RETAIN is a free,... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/stories-that-inspire/p/item/67338/zackerias-story-leading-careerforce-partner-helps-him-find-hope-and-the-path-to-a-brighter-future https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/stories-that-inspire/p/item/67338/zackerias-story-leading-careerforce-partner-helps-him-find-hope-and-the-path-to-a-brighter-future Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 “At the age of 29 I reached a point of complete hopelessness in my life. I was caught in a seemingly endless cycle of directionless chaos. I would find someone to move in with, lie to an employer about having graduated high school so I could get a halfway decent... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67218/drive-for-five-invites-job-seekers-to-launch-careers-in-indemand-fields https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/67218/drive-for-five-invites-job-seekers-to-launch-careers-in-indemand-fields Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Rural Minnesota CEP is currently accepting applications for the 2026-27 Drive for Five cohort. This program offers career counseling, training recommendations, and job placement assistance in one of five in-demand career fields. Drive for Five is designed to help people who traditionally face barriers to employment, including those who are... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66806/northwest-minnesota-foundation-awards-contract-to-rmcep-to-build-early-childhood-education-workforce https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66806/northwest-minnesota-foundation-awards-contract-to-rmcep-to-build-early-childhood-education-workforce Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 The Northwest Minnesota Foundation awarded a year-long contract to the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) to strengthen the early childhood education workforce across the region it serves.The goal of this contract is to expand awareness of early childhood education careers, support participants as they explore training pathways, and help... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/65272/success-story-marmaduke-mounts https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/65272/success-story-marmaduke-mounts Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000 When Marmaduke Mounts first connected with Rural MN CEP, he was underemployed but determined to create a better future for his family. With prior experience driving tow and box trucks, Marmaduke knew he had the skills — and the passion — to pursue something more. “I like driving!” he shared... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66873/gain-handson-work-experience-in-stemrelated-career-fields-through-the-phoenix-student-worker-program https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66873/gain-handson-work-experience-in-stemrelated-career-fields-through-the-phoenix-student-worker-program Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Gain hands-on work experience in STEM-related career fields through the Phoenix Student Worker Program at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT).As a Phoenix student, you will work with MnDOT professionals on meaningful projects that shape Minnesota’s transportation future while building valuable skills for your career. Step beyond the basics and...