RMCEP News
Northwest Region Blog
The presence of such industry powerhouses as Polaris, Arctic Cat and New Flyer make Northwest Minnesota a hub of transportation equipment manufacturing.
From wheat and potatoes to soybeans and sugar beets, the region is a major producer and processor of food staples and specialty agricultural products. Click here to view the blog.
News Articles
I always knew I wanted to be a trucker since I was a kid. Growing up watching them go by hearing their air horns was so cool, but in my earlier years I had my priorities mixed up. Years of dead-end jobs, and many jobs lost. It wasn't until 2024...
Understanding how to support veterans in the workplace is vital to the success of both businesses and communities. For many veterans, the transition from military to civilian employment can be filled with uncertainty, misalignment and unspoken barriers. As employers and community leaders, we have the chance to make that change...
West-Central and Northwest Minnesota Job Seekers Can Attend Job Fair Events in April and May
Mar 26 2025Northwest Minnesota residents can attend regional job fairs hosted by the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) during April and May. These career fairs are free for anyone looking for a job or considering changing careers.“One of the nice things about job fairs is you can ask questions of company...
11th Annual High School Welding Contest
Mar 6 2025Sparks flew, and iron melded with iron. But the ones operating the welding torches might not be those you expect.Twenty-seven teenagers converged on the Lynnes Welding Training facility on 3rd Avenue North.Instructors say they’re always passionate about their craft, but putting it in competition form just gives it a little...
RMCEP Case Aides and Counselors Help Countless Minnesotans Each Year – Here’s What Meeting With Us Is Like
Feb 26 2025The Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP) provides countless resources to job seekers, employers, and residents across the region. We distribute grant funds to support job training efforts and prepare people to enter long-term careers. This supports the greater employment needs of Northwest and West-Central Minnesota by providing a larger...
In the Fall of 2024, the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) received $3.4 million from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to support career development in young adults with disabilities ages 16-24. This grant will be available for the next four years, allowing RMCEP to help...
January is a great time to recommit to your job search plans.Being the onset of a new year, January can be a fruitful time to apply for positions as many employers put hiring on hold during the holidays.For those looking for work, CareerForce is the state’s official career exploration and...
After 19 years of dedicated employment, I found myself facing a new challenge: unemployment. I decided it was time to pursue something that I had thought about for years, obtaining my CDL license. I had never gone to Rural Minnesota CEP before, but from the moment I walked in the...
Drive for Five: There’s Still Time for Applicants to Receive Grants for Job Training and Education
Dec 19 2024In Spring 2024, the Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (RMCEP) was awarded $750,000 through Governor Tim Walz’s Drive for Five initiative. The money from this program is distributed to partners and individuals to invest in job training or education programs within the five in-demand fields: technology, trades, manufacturing, education,...
Chris Flath was working at Brian’s Repair as Roadside Service but had to quit due to medical reasons. The doctor had told him he needed to find a job that was less physically demanding. Chris enjoys vehicles and is very knowledge about mechanics. Also, he grew up around trucks and...
Rural Minnesota CEP is looking for business stakeholders and community leaders to join the Local Workforce Development Board (WDB) Area 2. Board members will be able to share their knowledge of local industries while shaping the future workforce in Northwest Minnesota. They will provide guidance and oversight for the programs...
Employee Spotlights: May-September 2024
Oct 17 2024Debbie Grant, Lead Restoring Connections NavigatorDebbie works out of the Detroit Lakes office and has been with RMCEP for 27 YEARS! Thank you for your 27 years of service, Debbie!Melissa Kain, Human Resources ManagerMelissa works out of the Administration office and has been with RMCEP for 4 YEARS! Thank you...
The changes a young adult can experience over a few years can be quite extensive and challenging. For D’Andre Gordon, predicting he would graduate from college this spring was difficult to envision when he moved to Bemidji seven years ago. “I had big plans, but honestly I never thought I would...
The average jobseeker may find it difficult making a connection between dairy farmer and diesel mechanic. For Michael Anez, however, it was a natural transition.“We were always working with the mechanics who came to work on the tractors at our dairy farm,” said Anez. “They convinced me to look into...
Aviation enthusiasts come to Javron, Inc. in Brainerd to have their experimental aircraft designed, built or repaired. That would not be possible without individuals like Kelsey Saba, a welder at Javron and recent graduate of the welding program at Central Lakes College (CLC), also in Brainerd. And just as Saba...
As a Career Advisor and Youth Service Coordinator with CareerForce Moorhead, Deb Grant helps youth learn about job possibilities as they exit their high school years. One key to that process, Grant said, is exposing students to opportunities they never knew existed.“We tell kids anything is possible, but one student...