Drive for Five Invites Job Seekers to Launch Careers in In-Demand Fields

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 homeless, have a disability, or meet other qualifications.

“Employers across Northwest Minnesota have open positions, and we want to make hiring easier,” says Stacy Belen, Drive for Five Lead Navigator at Rural Minnesota CEP. “By connecting participants with training and workforce experience programs, we can prepare them for the workplace and increase the number of qualified applicants to available roles.”

The five key in-demand industry sectors include Caring Professions, Labor, Technology, Manufacturing, and Education and other professionals. Learn more about Drive for Five and how to get started with this program. 

Drive for Five Qualifications 

The Drive for Five program is designed to bring in diverse groups of people and offer opportunities to those who otherwise have difficulty securing full-time employment. However, there are a few important requirements for candidates to qualify for the program.

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.

Potential Drive for Five participants can meet with a Rural Minnesota CEP career counselor to see if they qualify for this program. 

How the Drive for Five Program Works 

Individuals interested in the Drive for Five program can meet with a career counselor at Rural Minnesota CEP. If they qualify, they will receive guidance and planning to help enter a new career field. Here is an example of what this looks like:

• Rural Minnesota CEP will help the participant identify requirements to enter a career field and create a roadmap to complete them. 
• The organization will refer the participant to training and education programs that will give them the skills they need. 
• Each participant receives an experiential workplace opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their field. 
• Rural Minnesota CEP can also assist with job placement once the participant’s training is complete.

After completing the program, participants will either seek further education or secure full-time employment in one of these occupations, sustaining employment at or above $23/hr. The program is free for participants and designed to help people develop clear pathways to new careers. 

How Drive for Five Benefits Northwest Minnesota

This program supports companies in Northwest Minnesota that are struggling to find qualified candidates. Rural Minnesota CEP helps participants gain education, training, and workplace experience to support a smoother transition into the workplace.

“Drive for Five also directly benefits people who want to find work and launch careers but might not have the resources to do so,” says Belen. “By focusing on long-term career goals, participants can enter in-demand fields at wages that allow them to support themselves and their families.”

Drive for Five goes further than job placement. It considers the long-term dreams of participants and helps them enter a work environment where they can succeed and grow. 

Contact Lead Navigator Stacy Belen to Learn More 

If you are interested in participating in Drive for Five and think you may qualify, contact Stacy Belen, Lead Navigator for the program. You can reach her at 218-847-0706 or stacyb@rmcep.com. Even if you are not a candidate for this particular program, the team at Rural Minnesota CEP may find other opportunities to support your goals. Reach out today and take the first steps to enter a new career.