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Central Minnesota Jobs and Training outlines workforce programs serving Pine County
Summary
Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services presented program offerings, funding sources and employer supports including on‑the‑job training and incumbent worker grants; the agency asked commissioners to act as local ambassadors for referrals and advocacy.
Dina Wernes, executive director of Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services (CMJTS), briefed the board on the agency's services and funding model, saying CMJTS serves 11 counties, including Pine County, and has 21 board members with a majority from business. "We serve job seekers, from age 14 to 104," Wernes said as she described youth, adult and public‑assistance programs.
Wernes outlined programs for employers—hiring events, business coaching, on‑the‑job training that can reimburse up to 50% of wages for six months, and incumbent worker training (up to $25,000 per employer per year). She described Operation Exploration youth camps and CMJTS's effort to develop a registered apprenticeship for career navigators and asked county commissioners to be ambassadors for the agency when speaking with constituents and businesses.
CMJTS staff said their funding comes from multiple grants and that the agency is pursuing diversification to reduce reliance on state and federal appropriations. Commissioners asked about continuing work with Sandstone Correctional Facility and were told CMJTS has ongoing reentry workshops and relationships with that facility.
