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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...
Date: Friday, April 25, 2025Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM (CST)Location: VirtualJoin us for:Employer presentationsCareer fair networking1:1 informational interviewsResume reviewsDownload FlyerRegister Today!
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...
The Workforce Forum will be a comprehensive exploration of strategies to meet the workforce needs of our region. This event will provide an introductory overview of the economic factors and future-focused rationale of inclusionary practices and outreach efforts. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Human Resources processes, local community...
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...
Detroit Lakes, MN – October 18th – The Northwest Regional Workforce Alliance is excited to celebrate the 5th anniversary of its Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) program. Led by Christine Kirschbaum, Regional Coordinator at RMCEP, in partnership with Inter-County Community Council (ICCC), this milestone underscores the commitment to fostering diversity, equity,...
AirBorn, Inc.October 9 •12:00-1:00 pm15820 18th St NE #4651 Little Falls, MN 56345White Wolf Custom ApparelOctober 9 • 11:00-2:00 pm 10484 170th AveLittle Falls, MN 56345Little Falls Machine, Inc.October 10 • 9:30-11:30 am300 Lindbergh Drive SouthLittle Falls, MN 56345LakeshirtsOctober 10 • 10:00-12:00 pm609 13th Ave NE L6Little Falls, MN 56345DJ ProductsOctober 10...
Rural Minnesota CEP Receives $3.8 Million Grant for Education and Training of Young Adults With Disabilities
Sep 20 2024The Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP) is proud to receive $3.8 million from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to support young adults ages 14-24 with disabilities. These funds will be used to help recipients complete their post-secondary education and transition into the workforce.“This grant can...
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...
Language Access Plan 2024
Aug 28 2024The purpose of this plan is to document the policies and procedures related to providing language access to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) while accessing services and information at Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc. RMCEP serves a 19-county area including Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard,...
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...
Members of the Regional Workforce Alliance had a special guest at their July meeting. James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, author, speaker, and digital creator, met with attendees to talk about lessons from his new book, The Seven Generations and The Seven Grandfather Teachings.Vukelich Kaagegaabaw attended the meeting as part of the diversity,...
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...
Pathways to Prosperity: The Next Step Provides Education Funding for Residents With Foreign Degrees
May 24 2024The Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (RMCEP) is currently accepting applications for education funding to support residents who moved to Minnesota from abroad and struggled to transfer their degrees and certificates. If you moved to the United States and discovered you couldn’t work in your chosen field because your...