https://www.rmcep.com Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. News Feed Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:00:21 +0000 en-US 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/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66607/leading-careerforce-partner-helps-kathryn-clear-the-path-to-her-dream-job https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66607/leading-careerforce-partner-helps-kathryn-clear-the-path-to-her-dream-job Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 After 26 years of dedicated service at the Brainerd Dispatch, Kathryn faced an unexpected layoff that left her uncertain about the future. As a single mother of three, the path forward seemed daunting—especially with her dream of driving a snowplow for the county or state requiring a Commercial Driver’s License... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66447/pathways-to-prosperity-exceeds-expectations-in-2025-and-is-enrolling-participants-for-2026 https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66447/pathways-to-prosperity-exceeds-expectations-in-2025-and-is-enrolling-participants-for-2026 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 In 2025, the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) set a goal to enroll 40 participants in its Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) grant. It exceeded expectations with 48 participants, of whom 36 completed credentialed or pre-employment training.By the end of the year, 31 participants entered employment after leaving the program,... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66382/success-story-ryan-n https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66382/success-story-ryan-n Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 After becoming unemployed at nearly 50 years old, I found myself facing a future filled with uncertainty. Although I had earned a bachelor's degree earlier in life, the idea of returning to an educational environment after so many years felt daunting. I truly believed that starting over simply wasn't an... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66383/success-story-alivia-o https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66383/success-story-alivia-o Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the grants and assistance I have received through your program to pursue my Registered Nurse (RN) education. Your support has been instrumental in helping me focus on my studies and reduce the financial burden that often comes with higher education.This program... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66079/deed-awards-173-million-for-workforce-development-and-job-training https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/66079/deed-awards-173-million-for-workforce-development-and-job-training Wed, 14 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 For Immediate ReleaseJanuary 13, 2026St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced more than $17.3 million for workforce grants that are expected to serve more than 3,500 Minnesotans.The 59 organizations receiving Pathways to Prosperity program grant awards support economically disadvantaged adults, providing workforce... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/65560/rmceps-agpaths-initiative-strengthens-minnesotas-agriculture-workforce https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/65560/rmceps-agpaths-initiative-strengthens-minnesotas-agriculture-workforce Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 Rural Minnesota Concentration Employment Program (CEP) is proud to launch AgPaths, an initiative that will create agriculture-sector career pathways across the region. AgPaths is made possible through a $500,000 Growing Careers Grant, which is supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).The AgPaths program enables RMCEP to... https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/65514/deed-awards-48-million-to-support-youth-workforce-development-initiatives https://www.rmcep.com/news-and-resources/p/item/65514/deed-awards-48-million-to-support-youth-workforce-development-initiatives Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 he Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $4.8 million to 39 organizations to provide more than 4,000 young people with workforce development and training opportunities.DEED's Youth at Work Opportunity Grants Program serves youth of color and youth with disabilities who are economically disadvantaged or... 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... https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66604/governor-walz-announces-millions-in-workforce-training-grants https://www.rmcep.com/success-stories/news-archive/p/item/66604/governor-walz-announces-millions-in-workforce-training-grants Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Governor Tim Walz and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the recipients of $8.8 million in grants to grow Minnesota's workforce through the Drive for 5 Workforce initiative. Drive for 5 is the state's program for preparing Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: the...