Cannabis Career Pathways CanTrain Grant

CanTrain, a Cannabis Career Pathways grant, helps people enter the industry through intentional career planning. The goal is for participants to complete an industry certification and gain hands-on experience to work in the cannabis industry. 

Who Can Participate in CanTrain?

This program is open to Minnesota residents age 21 or older who are authorized to work in the United States. 
Participants Can Enroll in Three Tiers of Coursework
The CanTrain grant is designed with flexibility in mind and provides resources and support for a variety of career fields. Participants will start with Tier One and have the option to enter Tiers Two and Three if they so choose. Each tier balances formal education and training with hands-on learning opportunities. 

Tier One: Foundational Training

Tier One provides a Foundational Cannabis Associate certification for employment coupled with learning opportunities to help participants enter the cannabis industry.  This training is virtual, self-paced and provides the foundation of all other certification training. Other additional activities or training can include:

  • Job shadowing
  • Occupational interviews    
  • Work experience opportunities
  • OSHA General Industry Safety            
  • National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)                     
  • CPR/First Aid
  • ServSafe

RMCEP’s career counselors can also identify potential skills and resources that will help participants at this tier reach their career goals. These include developing soft skills, building financial literacy, and investing in other forms of professional development.

Tier Two: Higher-Level Education and Certification

RMCEP can offer support to cover the cost of a specialist certification. These include participants who want to become:

  • Cannabis retail specialists
  • Cannabis cultivation specialists
  • Or complete responsible vendor/cannabis safety training.

Participants enrolled in the program can work with local training partners like M State, St. Cloud State University PACE, and Green Flower.  Each specialist training is virtual, self-paced and provides specialty training in cultivation or retail after on top of the foundational associates certification.

Tier Three: Advanced Education and Certification 

CanTrain participants may continue to the Tier Three education and training level. This tier supports people who want to advance into:

  • Cannabis compliance
  • Cannabis extraction
  • Product development
  • Healthcare/medical applications.

Additional training for Tier Three may also include TIPS Alcohol safety certification, advanced OSHA programs, and leadership/supervisory coursework.

The tiered system helps participants gain work experience early in the program while developing their skills and completing certifications. They can expand their career potential by completing the second and third tiers while identifying potential specialization pathways.

For More Information, Contact Stacy Belen

Anyone interested in getting trained through the Cannabis Career Pathways grant can contact Stacy Belen, Operations Program Coordinator for RMCEP.

Belen will complete a brief pre-screening to learn about your career goals and education needs. From there, Stacy will connect you with a local RMCEP Employment Counselor who will guide you through the process and walk with you every step of the way.

Stacy Belen
803 Roosevelt Ave, Suite 301
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
218-847-0706
stacyb@rmcep.com  

Take the first steps to launch a new career and work in a growing industry. Contact RMCEP today.