Pequot Manufacturing, based in Pequot Lakes, was able to provide incumbent worker training to its emerging leaders thanks to a training grant through Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (RMCEP). The total training cost was $45,697 and RMCEP was able to cover $22,848 of the project through State Dislocated Worker funding. Incumbent worker training helps Minnesota manufacturers and other employers remain competitive and it helps with worker retention. Here’s how Laura O’Brien, Director of Human Capital at Pequot Manufacturing, described the benefits of the training.
“Pequot Manufacturing is proud to share the success of our partnership with RMCEP through their generous financial grant, which enabled us to provide Job Relations (JR) training for our front-line supervisors—including Cell Leads, Shift Leads, Team Leads, and Assistant Managers—across both of our manufacturing facilities. These supervisors are the backbone of our operations, guiding production and support teams daily, and representing the next generation of leadership within our organization. By participating in the JR program delivered by Enterprise Minnesota, these emerging leaders gained practical tools to:
- Strengthen communication and treat employees as individuals
- Maintain positive employee relationships and inspire commitment
- Effectively manage change and resolve conflicts proactively
- Provide constructive feedback and maximize the skills of every team member
“Pequot Manufacturing is a precision manufacturing company with 225 employees and a strong history of growth and innovation. Over the past several years, we have successfully expanded our operations and are currently planning the addition of a new South Manufacturing Facility to support continued growth and increased production capacity. Our workforce includes highly skilled employees across production, support, and leadership roles, with an ongoing commitment to developing emerging leaders from within the organization.
“We applied for the RMCEP grant because professional training programs, such as Job Relations training, can be cost-prohibitive for a company of our size, especially in light of recent market volatility. The past few years have presented financial uncertainty, making it challenging to earmark funds for workforce development initiatives. This grant allowed us to invest strategically in our front-line supervisors, providing them with tools and skills that strengthen our leadership pipeline without overextending company resources.
“The results have been remarkable. Several participants have already received promotions within our organization, applying the skills they learned to set clearer expectations, improve team performance, and enhance workplace relationships. This training has strengthened the foundation of our leadership pipeline, ensuring that as our company grows—particularly with new projects and anticipated hiring—we have well-prepared internal candidates ready to step into higher-level roles. The JR training has not only impacted our employees’ professional growth but also reinforced our company’s ability to remain competitive, scale operations, and contribute meaningfully to Minnesota’s manufacturing workforce.
“Working with the representatives from RMCEP was an exceptional experience. The Brainerd RMCEP team made the paperwork clear and easy to understand, supporting us every step of the way. While reporting can sometimes feel like a chore, their energy and enthusiasm for serving our employees and our community made the process enjoyable and truly worthwhile. We are deeply grateful to RMCEP for their support, which has allowed us to invest in our people, our business, and our community in a meaningful way. With this program, Pequot Manufacturing continues to demonstrate that developing people is at the heart of sustaining growth and fostering a strong, resilient organization.”
- Learn more about all the services that RMCEP provides to job seekers and employers
- Find out about the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership training grants
- Contact your regional Workforce Strategy Consultant
- Find contact information for a CareerForce location in your part of Minnesota
