Apply to the Good Jobs Employer Designation Program Today

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 their employees, create healthy workplace cultures, and learn from the feedback they receive – they just haven’t been recognized for it,” says Chrys Kirschbaum, Regional Coordinator at RMCEP and the primary contact for this initiative. “This program creates space to celebrate our local companies.”

Work is about more than a paycheck. It is about dignity, stability, and the ability for employees to build futures for themselves and their families. Learn more about the Good Jobs Employer Designation and how to apply for recognition. 

The Eight Principles of a Good Jobs Workplace

Companies applying for the Good Jobs Employer Designation will complete a self-evaluation based on eight principles for a healthy workplace. These come from Minnesota’s Quality Jobs Principles and workforce efforts connected to the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards (MAWB) and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board.

These principles include:

• Recruitment and Hiring: Fair, effective, and strategic hiring that attracts and retains a strong workforce.
• Pay: Competitive and transparent compensation practices that support employee stability and long-term success.
• Benefits: Benefits that contribute to employee well-being, work-life balance, and financial security.
• Job Security and Working Conditions: Safe, stable, respectful, and supportive work environments with clear expectations.
• Skills and Career Advancement: Opportunities for training, professional growth, and advancement pathways.
• Empowerment and Representation: Workplaces where employees feel heard, respected, and empowered to contribute.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA): Equitable access to opportunity and support for individuals from all backgrounds.
• Organizational Culture: Positive workplace culture that strengthens engagement, teamwork, communication, and success.

The principles create a framework that recognizes employers not only for the jobs they provide, but for the workplace environments they intentionally build.

How to Apply for the Good Jobs Employer Designation

The application process for the Good Jobs Employer Designation is intentionally simple and can typically be completed in 15 to 20 minutes. Applicants complete an online form that evaluates business practices and policies. The goal is not paperwork; it is to have meaningful conversations about your workplace practices and how they might be improved.

“We wanted this process to respect employer time while still creating something valuable and impactful for both businesses and workers,” says Kirschbaum.

Looking ahead, this designation will continue to evolve through employer feedback, workforce trends, and regional workforce needs.

Applicants will be recognized at one of four designation levels:

• Recognized
• Developing
• Certified
• Employer of Excellence

These tiers highlight how there is room to grow, and a company that still has work to do but is making important strides still deserves recognition.

“This is not meant to be a static checklist,” adds Kirschbaum. “It’s a living framework shaped by employers, employees, and communities working together to define what workplace excellence should look like in rural Minnesota.”

The Good Jobs Employer Designation is part of a larger regional workforce strategy. It aligns with sector partnerships, workforce training pathways, and employer engagement initiatives across RMCEP’s service area.

When employers invest in good jobs, communities become stronger, families gain stability, workers stay local, and businesses grow. Together, all of these factors make rural communities more resilient.

“We are not asking employers to be perfect. We are asking them to be intentional about building workplaces where people can succeed,” says Kirschbaum.

Ready to Apply? 

Employers interested in learning more about the Good Jobs Employer Designation and in starting the application process can review the online form and explore how their best practices align with the eight principles of a great workplace.

The applications are designed to be simple, accessible, and focused on recognizing the meaningful work employers are already doing across rural Minnesota. Set aside time to reflect on these questions when answering them. You may identify opportunities to create a healthier, more resilient workforce where your employees are proud to work. 

Learn More About RMCEP

RMCEP provides one-on-one counseling, job-training, and resources to help Northwest Minnesota residents step into new careers. It works with employers across the region to assist with hiring and job placement. Many people who have faced barriers to employment or lacked resources for education or training found support through RMCEP and entered the workforce with confidence.

Learn more about other programs offered by RMCEP and how you can get involved as an employer. We’re happy to work with you.