Workforce Development

Training for tomorrow, support for today.

RMSER Workforce was awarded a $1,861,098 grant from the United States Department of Labor through the National Farmworker Jobs Program as the sole grantee in Colorado for our First Program Year (commenced July 1, 2024). RMSER was awarded a Four Year NFJP Grant through September 2028.

The NFJP prepares Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs) for a new career through college tuition assistance, on-the-job training, work experience, and job placement. Since 1980, our programs have assisted adult, youth, and Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers in gaining the skills they need to obtain stable employment in shifting economies of rural areas.

Additionally, support services are available to the MSFW participants and their families through RMSER to assist with job training-related items. Farmworkers needing emergency support can also receive assistance with gas, food, rent, and utility through the program.

We are proud to partner with local employers to train and hire our participants. RMSER Workforce is committed to assisting NFJP Participants with the necessary job skills to earn job credentials needed to succeed in growing Industry Sectors where employers need skilled workers throughout Colorado. RMSER NFJP staff work with participants to ensure they are placed into jobs following the Good Job Principles listed by the Good Jobs Executive Order.

Since 1980, RMSER Workforce has helped more than 60,000 participants establish new careers and brighter futures.

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”

-Cesar Chavez

Workforce Development

Provides Training and Support Services to Migrant/Seasonal Farmworkers

Our operational excellence is quickly recognized through our adult and youth performance measures, which exceed the national performance target rates annually.

RMSER’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) has continuously met or exceeded 100% of the Five US Department of Labor’s Common Performance Measures annually including:

Employment Rate-2nd Quarter after Exit

Employment Rate-4th Quarter after Exit

Median Earnings-2nd Quarter after Exit

Credential Rate

Measurable Skills Rate

The Journey of Julissa Poblete, a Success Story of the National Farmworker Jobs Program

Julissa Poblete was born in Tennessee to immigrant parents from Chihuahua, Mexico.

At the age of four, her family moved back to Mexico for personal reasons, and she spent her childhood and teenage years in the small, rural town of Nuevo Casas Grandes. Life took a challenging turn when, at sixteen, Julissa and her younger sister made the brave decision to return to the United States alone. They relocated to Yuma, Colorado, to live with relatives while their parents remained in Mexico, a move fueled by Julissa’s dream of expanding her opportunities and creating a brighter future.

As she entered Yuma High School as a junior, Julissa faced significant obstacles. Learning English was a daunting task and adapting to a new lifestyle while being separated from her parents was difficult. Yet, despite these obstacles, she remained committed to her pursuit of education. Every day was a testament to her determination, and in May 2020, she proudly graduated from high school, a significant milestone that showcased her resilience. However, the uncertainty of what lay ahead weighed heavily on her, and she worried about affording college.

Finding encouragement from her parents, who cheered her on from afar, Julissa mustered the courage to apply for college. Her hard work paid off when she was accepted at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. Through her school counselor, she discovered the National Farmworker Jobs Program in Colorado, administered by Rocky Mountain SER and Lourdes Gutierrez. Based on her summer experience working at a sugar beet farm, where she cleaned the fields by removing weeds and debris in preparation for harvest, Julissa decided to apply for the program in August of 2020, and she was found eligible for the NFJP.

With relentless determination, Julissa graduated from Northeastern Junior College with an admirable 3.57 GPA, completing her studies as a full-time student from the fall of 2020 to the spring of 2022, earning all As and Bs in her classes. During this time, Rocky Mountain SER/Lourdes Gutierrez provided crucial assistance with tuition and resources, enabling her to thrive academically while navigating the complexities of college life.

After graduation, Julissa was eager to continue her education. She enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley in the fall of 2022. This decision brought new challenges. She had to adapt to a new academic environment and manage a more rigorous course load, all while balancing her studies with personal responsibilities. These demands tested her resolve, but her commitment to success propelled her forward.

Throughout her time at UNC, Julissa excelled academically and even completed an internship with the Greeley Police Department, gaining invaluable experience. In May 2024, she graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, along with a minor in Psychology and Sociology, achieving an impressive GPA of 3.65, a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Julissa's journey is one of resilience, ambition, and the unwavering belief that education can transform lives. She overcame obstacles and embraced opportunities, proving that with perseverance and support, a brighter future is within reach.

Julissa began her career as a Field Representative with Rocky Mountain SER in October 2024. She will use her experiences to help others navigate their educational paths and access vital resources, continuing her commitment to making a difference in her community. Julissa is deeply grateful for the support and guidance of Rocky Mountain SER and Statewide Manager Lourdes Gutierrez and Field Representative Monica Brito.

Now, as a Field Representative with RMSER herself, Julissa has secured full-time, year-round employment with benefits and a salary of $46,683. This position provides her with financial stability, benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, and the opportunity for career growth and professional development. It allows her to fully dedicate her time and energy to supporting farmworkers and their families as they navigate educational pathways and access essential resources.

As she reflects on her journey, she states, "I hope to inspire others as I was inspired, proving that with hard work and the right support, anything is possible." We are excited for the future that lies ahead for Julissa with Rocky Mountain SER in Colorado.