Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Teri Sand, SHRM-CP, PHR, CBSP, CRP, Business Services Manager, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing, MI, but serving Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties.
Hear Teri and Jeffrey discuss how healthcare apprenticeships address worker shortages while creating career paths with on-the-job training and pay in the SoundCloud podcast shared below:
In their conversation, Jeffrey looked to find out several things from Teri;
THEME: Capital Area Michigan Works! Business Services Manager Teri Sand discusses the importance of Registered Apprenticeships, particularly in the healthcare field, and how CAMW! supports the development of healthcare apprenticeships in the region.
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Question: What are Registered Apprenticeships and what challenges do they help address in the workforce?
Registered Apprenticeships are structured, industry-driven career pathways that provide individuals with classroom instruction and a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates their skills and qualifications.
They are a valuable alternative to traditional education routes like college degrees, as they provide a direct route to meaningful careers and provide on-the-job learning in a variety of career fields.
They also allow individuals to develop specialized skills while earning a paycheck and gaining work experience, unlike other forms of education.
Registered Apprenticeships address multiple challenges in the workforce including talent shortages, increasing demand for services, workforce retention, staffing and skill gaps.
They help improve employee retention by offering workers a clear career path and the skills needed for advancement.
This is especially critical in healthcare, where high turnover and burnout can significantly affect the quality of care.
Many employers in evolving industries face challenges in closing skill gaps — the difference between the skills needed for positions and the skills job seekers possess.
Apprenticeships are a critical talent pipeline for organizations because they provide targeted training to equip workers with specific, up-to-date skills.
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Question: Why is there a growing need for Registered Apprenticeships in the healthcare field?
There are many factors that pose workforce challenges in the healthcare field.
Employment in healthcare is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2032, with 1.8 million openings per year, creating a significant demand for skilled workers.
Talent shortages, burnout among healthcare workers and increasing skill demands have made it difficult for employers to keep pace with growing demand.
There is an increasing challenge to retain and replace workers. Many of the highly skilled workers in the healthcare industry today are reaching retirement age meaning employers will have more job openings in the field in future years.
Healthcare employers are also struggling with the increased cost of labor associated with staff shortages and the challenges of attracting new talent pools.
Registered Apprenticeships are a proven solution for recruiting, training and retaining world-class healthcare talent in good, quality jobs.
By training workers internally, Registered Apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to reduce dependence on expensive external recruitments.
Furthermore, Registered Apprenticeships increase workforce training capacity by offering more individuals access to career pathways in healthcare.
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Question: What is the current state of Registered Apprenticeships in the healthcare industry and how are they helping address workforce challenges and meet growing skill demands?
Employers are increasingly turning towards registered apprenticeships as they allow them to recruit a diverse workforce, reduce turnover and instill their company culture more effectively.
In 2023, the number of registered apprentices in the healthcare field reached 24,492, marking a 169% increase over the past five years.
The increase in apprenticeships contributes not only to workforce growth but also to healthcare quality. By developing workers with the right skills and knowledge, healthcare apprenticeships can lead to improved patient outcomes, greater operational efficiency and a more sustainable healthcare workforce.
Some of the most common apprenticeships in healthcare include: health unit coordinator, home health aide, licensed practical nurse, long-term care nurse manager, medical assistant, medical coder and pharmacy technician.
Currently, Michigan has 773 active healthcare apprentices across 38 active programs, with 73.9% of participants being women.
According to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, apprenticeship completion rates are also steadily rising, with 199 apprentices successfully completing their programs in 2023, up from 132 in 2022.
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Question: How does CAMW! collaborate with local healthcare businesses to implement apprenticeship opportunities and what are some examples of apprenticeship programs CAMW! supports?
CAMW! works closely with businesses to tailor apprenticeship opportunities that align with industry demands, ensuring that both employers and apprentices benefit from a structured, hands-on training experience.
These partnerships are instrumental in meeting the growing demand for healthcare professionals and enhancing workforce retention.
Some examples of these programs include:
Lansing Fire Department: First Responder, Paramedic, Fire Medic, Fire Fighter.
Health Care Association of Michigan: Director of Assisted Living Facility.
Orthopedic Rehab Specialists: Physical Therapy Aide.
University of Michigan Health – Sparrow: Medical Assistant, Sterile Processing Technician.
Headspace Counseling: Behavioral Health Aide.
Block Imaging: Medical Equipment Repairer.
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Question: Where can people go if they want to learn more about health apprenticeships in the Lansing region?
More information about healthcare apprenticeships can be found under the “explore career options” tab on CAMW!’s website, www.camw.org. You can learn more about what Registered Apprenticeships are, available apprenticeships in the region and how to get connected.
If you want to learn more about apprenticeship statistics both locally and nationally, you can visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s website at www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/apprenticeship.
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