Partners for Progress: Drive for Five

The goal of the Drive for Five program is to provide planning, training, and experiential work opportunities in one of five key in-demand industry sectors: Caring Professions, Labor, Technology, Manufacturing, and Education and other professionals.

The training and education resources should lead to a recognized credential (degree, diploma, or certificate) that can help participants enter new careers in their desired fields.

This program is free for participants and is designed to make job training, placement, and career advancement affordable and attainable. 

Drive for Five Helps Job Seekers Overcome Training and Education Hurdles

This program is designed for participants to either seek further education or secure full-time employment in one of these occupations, sustaining employment at or above $23/hr. Rural Minnesota CEP assists by providing career services, recommending training providers, and helping with job placement.

Successful participants are eligible to receive incentives for their progress in the program and for finding full-time employment. All participants will have the opportunity to participate in a work-based learning opportunity.

Drive for Five Qualifications

The Rural Minnesota CEP team welcomes people from all backgrounds to enroll in the Drive for Five program. However, participants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, not enrolled in any K-12 school, and need enhanced educational and support services to be successful in securing long-term, family-sustaining wages.

The Partners for Progress project will prioritize individuals of color, those lacking stable housing, past criminal record, high school dropouts, without a GED, and individuals with disabilities.

The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) funded (or funded in part) this training through a grant. The grant recipient created this training opportunity. DEED does not endorse this publicity or training or make guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership of the information herein or elsewhere.