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Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services outlines youth, incumbent worker and employer programs to Pine County commissioners
Summary
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services (CMJTS) presented its services and local programs — including youth Operation Exploration camps, on‑the‑job training reimbursements, incumbent worker upskilling grants and re‑entry assistance — and asked commissioners to serve as ambassadors to expand reach across Pine County.
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services (CMJTS) presented the agency’s program portfolio to the Pine County Board, highlighting workforce services for job seekers, employer supports and new initiatives aimed at youth exposure to trades and at helping second‑chance and incumbent workers.
Dina Warness, executive director, described CMJTS as the regional workforce development board serving 11 counties, with business representation required on its board and multiple federal, state and local grants funding programming. “If you’re interested in work and you need some help getting there, we have a service or a program that will be able to assist you,” Warness said, summarizing adult, youth and public assistance services and noting the agency’s goal to diversify funding beyond state and federal sources.
Warness and program staff outlined employer services including hiring events, on‑the‑job training reimbursements (up to 50 percent of wages for a qualifying period), incumbent worker training (grants up to $25,000 per employer per year) and HR networking. CMJTS also described Operation Exploration youth camps — hands‑on exposure to trades, health care and other career pathways — and work with registered apprenticeships, including the agency’s effort to register an apprenticeship for career navigators to coach other employers through apprenticeship development.
Diana (last name pronounced Ristamicky in the packet), CMJTS youth program manager, and other staff noted targeted efforts such as re‑entry workshops at correctional facilities and partnerships with local training providers. “We serve job seekers from age 14 to 104,” Warness said, underlining the agency’s broad eligibility range.
CMJTS asked commissioners to act as ambassadors: to refer job seekers and employers to CMJTS services, support grant applications and, when possible, amplify the agency’s outreach. Commissioners thanked CMJTS for the presentation and for local program work that included recent reentry workshops and youth events. CMJTS staff offered to provide additional information and follow‑up materials to Pine County offices and to commissioners who want to convene local partners.
