The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a $1 million grant to the Baltimore County Department of Workforce Development (BCOWD). The grant will enable BCOWD and its partners to increase high-growth, high-demand healthcare careers in the Baltimore region with the expansion of the Baltimore Alliance of Careers in Healthcare (BACH) into Baltimore County.
The Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to eliminating the critical shortage of qualified healthcare workers in Baltimore. BACH works with local agencies, healthcare institutions and other organizations to create opportunities for healthcare employees to pursue higher careers in health professions. BACH's core business is providing Career Coaches in area hospitals to serve as a resource for entry-level employees for training opportunities to advance their healthcare careers.
"Healthcare has become an increasingly essential part of our economy. It is one sector that is always listed in the top growth fields for employment. It is important Baltimore County continues its commitment to expand and support a workforce that will provide the high quality of healthcare necessary to serve the people of Baltimore County," says Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.
BACH's ultimate, long-term objective is to reverse the healthcare worker shortage in Baltimore by developing and promoting a system for preparing healthcare employees for skilled positions in healthcare professions with the most serious shortages.
The Department of Labor awarded BCOWD the grant "Maturity Works: Tapping Older Workers for High-Growth Healthcare Careers, " that specifically targets people ages 55 and older who are in entry-level healthcare positions.
"Baltimore County understands the value of our older citizens. This grant will fund training for them necessary to improve their skill sets and to earn important certifications for better financial security while providing better healthcare to their patients," says Baltimore County Council Chair Joseph Bartenfelder.
The three-year grant will allow BCOWD and its partners to broaden participation of mature workers in high-growth, high-demand healthcare careers in the Baltimore region. The partnership will adopt a two-pronged approach: (1) strengthen the pipeline of entry-level mature workers in healthcare and (2) retain experienced technical and professional healthcare personnel after retirement age. The grant will pay for the training costs and a portion of the Career Coaches salaries. The Community College of Baltimore County will serve as the primary training provider.
This initiative will increase employment and training opportunities for older individuals targeting the following in demand occupations: sterile processing technician, surgical technician, nurse assistant and nurse extender.
"Our Workforce Development Council has been looking forward to welcoming the Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare to Baltimore County. Thanks especially to the Healthcare Careers Committee of the Council, that day is a reality. Thanks also to the support of the Jim Smith Administration, we are moving forward to help address the employment picture through the training that will be provided to healthcare workers," says Baltimore County Office of Workforce Development Barry Williams.
BCOWD and its partner, Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Employment Development, will expand the capacity to train and prepare older individuals along the healthcare career ladder. BACH's Career Coaches will provide career awareness and guidance, including information sessions about healthcare careers; job readiness opportunities (computer and financial literacy training tailored to older adults' learning styles); and guidance on employment and training opportunities in healthcare. BACH will also collaborate with area hospitals to improve retention and advancement of older frontline workers in entry-level skilled healthcare jobs.
The ultimate purpose of this grant is to broaden the talent pool of the healthcare workforce in the region, while simultaneously advancing the knowledge of the workforce system to better serve older workers. Through this initiative, a minimum of 260 older individuals will receive healthcare certification and gain entrance into high-demand healthcare fields. Employer outreach and awareness activities will reach at least 500 employers.
Source: Baltimore County Office of Business and Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins