Stories that Inspire

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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,...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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,...Continue Reading

“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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading

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...Continue Reading