CarEeR PAthways
Start your new career with our Free 8-Week Certificate Programs
Our free, 8-week career training programs combine hybrid learning, Personal Empowerment, and coaching for eligible adults in the seven-county Twin Cities metro.
You’re ready for more than a job.
Our training pathways open doors to stable professions.
At Twin Cities R!SE, you can be application-ready for specific careers and industry sectors in just 8 weeks! Our programs have been created in partnership with employers to optimize your learning for the workplace. 80% of TCR graduates have begun new careers!
Explore Our Upcoming Trainings:
Our next career training begins October 19, 2026 | Customer Support
Our trainings are in high demand, and classes are filling quickly! Enrollment is first-come, first-served, and some trainings currently have waitlists. We encourage you to apply today so we can secure your spot as soon as possible.
This project/program is funded in part by the State of Minnesota through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The content, statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of DEED or the State of Minnesota. Funding does not imply endorsement of the program or its participants.
Steps to Becoming Empowered + Employed
A SIMPLE LOOK AT THE TWIN CITIES R!SE JOURNEY
1
STEP 1
Apply & Enroll
Complete the application and enrollment process.
2
STEP 2
8-Week Training
Build skills, confidence, and workplace readiness.
3
STEP 3
Career Club & Job Search
Receive coaching and actively pursue full-time employment.
4
STEP 4
Start Full-Time Employment
Begin your job and continue receiving support.
5
STEP 5
Graduate Status
Reach 1 year of full-time employment.
6
STEP 6
Alumni Status
Reach 2 years of full-time employment.
After training, participants are expected to seek full-time employment with support from Twin Cities R!SE.
Am I Eligible?
Participants must pass eligibility to apply for enrollment in the program.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for enrollment, you must:
Be able to work legally in the U.S.
Be at least 18 years old
Be willing to work fulltime (32+hrs)
Be within our income guidelines
Demonstrate English fluency and basic literacy
Have no sex offense or arson convictions
Must be a resident in the 7 county metro area: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington county in Minnesota.
Household income must be at or below our income guidelines. Household = your financial/tax household (include yourself and any tax dependents)
If you are currently facing any of the following barriers to employment…
Unemployed
Long-term Unemployment (6+ Months)
No Driver's License
Criminal History
Past Substance Use
Unstable Housing (homeless/other)
Disability/Health Concerns
Education Challenge (no HS/GED, Special Ed)
You too can R!SE.
Twin Cities R!SE career pathways training programs are uniquely designed for you!
We meet you where you are…
41%
OF OUR PARTICIPANTS IN THE PAST YEAR HAD CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18.
79%
OF OUR PARTICIPANTS IN THE PAST YEAR IDENTIFIED AS A NON-WHITE MINORITY
…to empower your success!
$43,584
POST-PROGRAM AVERAGE INCOME
(reported by graduates in FY 2025)
roughly a 2-3x increase over previous wages
Empowering Your Success
Twin Cities R!SE can help you achieve a lasting career that’s more than a paycheck. We journey with you to help restore confidence in yourself for your long-term employability and success.
THE PROCESS
HOW TO ENROLL
Complete each step before the enrollment deadline. Enrollment is based on eligibility, and applications are subject to review.
1
COMPLETE THE ELIGIBILITY FORM
Fill out the online form to get started.
2
COMPLETE YOUR INTAKE PROFILE
Check your email and complete your intake profile so we can learn more about you.
3
CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM
An Outreach Coordinator will call to review your eligibility, discuss training options, and schedule your virtual info session.
4
ATTEND & SUBMIT DOCUMENTS
Attend a 35-min virtual info session on Zoom, then complete your required forms and upload your ID documents. Once approved, you’ll receive your enrollment confirmation.
-
Twin Cities R!SE currently offers three career pathway options:
Customer Support
Facilities & Maintenance
My Road to Success
-
Career training programs are offered at no cost to eligible participants. The program does require your time, effort, and commitment.
-
A good fit is someone facing employment barriers who is ready to participate fully, grow personally and professionally, and work toward full-time meaningful employment.
-
Twin Cities R!SE is not a staffing agency. We help you build the skills, confidence, tools, and support needed to pursue full-time meaningful employment. Your coach will support you through the job search process, but you are expected to actively participate.
-
Twin Cities R!SE career pathways are designed for people who want to invest in long-term career growth, not only immediate job placement. If you only need immediate job search support, CareerForce may be a better fit right now.
-
No. There is not an option to pay tuition for enrollment.
-
Your coach is your best point of contact. If you do not have your coach’s email, contact outreachteam@twincitiesrise.org
-
Please email outreachteam@twincitiesrise.org
-
Every career pathway includes support from TCR staff, instructors, and coaches. You will build career skills, strengthen your confidence, and work toward your employment goals with people who are committed to helping you move forward.
-
Yes. Your coach welcomes you into the program and provides individualized 1-to-1 coaching for a minimum of two years. Your coach helps you set goals, work through barriers, prepare for employment, and stay supported as you move forward.
-
You will gain practical training connected to your career pathway, along with workplace skills that employers value. This may include communication, professionalism, problem-solving, teamwork, digital skills, resume development, interview preparation, and industry-specific training.
-
After completing your 8-week training, you may be eligible for job search assistance and a 10-week paid internship opportunity. Internship availability may depend on your pathway, readiness, and employer opportunities.
-
Yes. When you complete a TCR career training program, you earn a certificate from one of our college partners: Dakota County Technical College, Saint Paul College, or Century College, depending on the pathway you choose.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
R!SER STORIES
-
![A middle-aged man with dark skin, a beard with gray streaks, and short gray hair, is sitting on a wooden bench against a plain beige wall. He is wearing a brown polo shirt and cream-colored pants, with his hands resting between his legs, looking contemplatively to the side.]()
“I came to Twin Cites R!SE after being incarcerated, and it was the best thing to happen to me outside of meeting my wife. Before coming to TCR, I was a lost man. I had lost my then wife, my job, my home, and my life savings. I decided to give TCR a try. The course that helped me the most was Personal Empowerment.”
Leonard P.
TCR Graduate -
![A woman with wavy dark hair sitting on a light-colored bench beside a wooden slat wall, with sunlight casting her shadow on the wall.]()
“This program boosted my confidence and gave me a firmer foundation to create résumés and cover letters that shine. I’m more confident, more determined, and willing to take chances. I’m eager and excited to find a new job. I’m ready.”
LaKietra V.
TCR R!SER -
![Close-up portrait of a man with a bald head and beard, wearing a dark jacket, against an orange background.]()
"The coaches are great. They motivate you, they push you to succeed. They don't want to see you fail. They do as much as they can to help you succeed in the program, and help you with developing your resume and working with you to get a job and hold it...And I like that fact that they really want you to succeed and it's just not you trying to do it on your own."
Courtney H.
TCR Alumni -
![A young Black man in a gray polo shirt and beige pants sitting on a bench in a minimalist room with beige walls, casting a shadow on the wall.]()
“Twin Cities R!SE brought me back to myself. You’re helping me better my life and making me a better father. Where you start is not where you end up, and this foundation is hope.”
Francisco M.
TCR R!SER -
![A smiling man with short curly hair, a goatee, wearing earrings, dressed in a black t-shirt, against a solid orange background.]()
“Before Twin Cities R!SE, life was a mess. After 30 years of addiction and six overdoses, I came to Minnesota ready for something different. TCR helped me believe in myself and gave me hope to keep moving forward. Today, I’m the Director of Operations at Twin Cities Recovery Project, where I get to use my experience to help other people in recovery.”
Chris B.
TCR Alumni -
![Young woman with short blonde hair, wearing jewelry including earrings and necklaces, dressed in black and white overalls, holding a translucent fabric overhead with beach and foliage in the background, backlit by sunlight.]()
“I used what I learned to build a career, return to school, and keep working toward my goals. My proudest accomplishment is seeing where I was and where I am today. I went from experiencing homelessness to becoming a homeowner.”
Byron J.
TCR Alumni -
![A woman standing outdoors on a sunny day, holding a light patterned fabric above her head, with sunlight shining behind her. She is wearing white overalls with black underneath and jewelry, including a necklace and earrings, and has short blonde hair.]()
“Now I know I can be more than I thought I was going to be. I want to build something for myself and my family. By the time I’m 30, I want to be successful and maybe running my own business.”
Tresean N.
TCR R!SER
Want to Learn More About our Trainings?
Drop us your email to receive important details about upcoming class offerings.
We respect your privacy and do not share your information.