Clarian Health launched its Workforce Prosperity Program after a significant number of its low-wage employees were having difficulty finishing education programs.

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS— Clarian Health's Workforce Prosperity Program is one of 14 programs from across the country featured in a new national report from the Workforce Strategy Center (WSC) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The report titled, “Employers, Low-Income Adults and Postsecondary Credentials,” highlights programs in 14 communities that are successfully addressing the challenge of providing younger and disadvantaged workers with the technical and postsecondary education that may qualify them for skilled positions.

Having noted that a significant number of its low-wage employees were having difficulty finishing its education programs, Clarian Health made a corporate decision to help its employees overcome barriers to education and career advancement. With the Clarian Health Workforce Prosperity Program the academic medical center hopes to help its environmental services employees advance into clinical positions, increase its job retention rate, and add diversity to its mid- and higher level corporate management.

Developed and operated in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, Clarian’s program enables employees who score too low on the COMPASS assessment to place into college-level courses to enroll in Clarian’s College Prep courses first. Employees, many of whom are first-generation college students, are provided counseling, coaching and tutoring as needed as part of the Workforce Prosperity Initiative.

“We, at Clarian Health, are extremely honored that one of our workforce development initiatives has been recognized by such a prestigious national organization,” says Sheriee Ladd, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Clarian Health. “Our Workforce Prosperity Program embodies Clarian’s longstanding reputation in the community for innovation and excellence in education and concern for the wellbeing of our employees. As an employer, we believe in empowering our people and investing in resources to help them develop. Since its inception over 5 years ago, our program has supported over 1,200 employees in their efforts to expand their skills, achieve educational and personal goals, and work towards advancement within our organization. We firmly believe that, when our employees succeed, our entire community benefits.”

The 14 sites highlighted in this report were selected from more than 100 candidate sites that were submitted for consideration. Model sites had to meet the following criteria:

· Getting low-income youth and young adults postsecondary credentials that will allow them to enter and advance in career track employment

· Working with employers in industry sectors important to the region’s economy

· Maximizing employer roles and commitment

· Demonstrating portability, scalability, and replicability

“One major reason the efforts highlighted in this report have been successful is that they are ‘demand-driven’ in nature, with local employers working directly with community colleges, trade schools and other post-secondary institutions to help disadvantaged young people gain skills that are in demand by employers,” says Julian L. Alssid, Executive Director of WSC.

Additional facts about Clarian Health’s workforce initiatives:

Clarian launched its Workforce Prosperity Program in 2005 with the specific intention of assisting its low-wage employees so that they might be better able to manage their resources, retain their jobs, and prepare for career advancement in the hospital. The initiative offers financial, health and technology classes, as well as several courses designed to advance employees’ educational and career attainment. Among these are College at Work, College Prep, Pathways Seminars, and Promoveo™.

Between 2007 and first quarter 2009, 65 employees enrolled in the College at Work, College Prep, OAR, and Promoveo™ Career Exploration programs.

With its Workforce Prosperity Program, Clarian has developed 10 courses that have been attended by more than 800 participants in total, with 65 employees participating in College at Work, OAR, and College Prep courses during 2007-2008.

Clarian provides tuition reimbursement and textbook assistance and has a formal Celebration of Achievement ceremony at least once a year with senior leadership.

Clarian also has “Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting-By World” workshops for employees and “Pathways to Prosperity” seminars for leaders to help acquaint them with the culture of poverty and how it affects individuals, families, Clarian patients, Clarian as a business, and the community at large.

Clarian is launching a new course called Promoveo™ to help guide employees’ advancement up the health-career ladder. The program serves Clarian employees, many of whom are entry-level, who are interested in gaining education, skills, and upward career mobility.

Clarian is currently expanding its efforts and finalizing installation of a new database that will allow reporting on skill-level gains, wage gains, promotions, retention rates, and numbers of employees enrolling in college or certificate training programs.

About Clarian Health

As a preeminent leader in clinical care, education, research and service, Clarian Health is Indiana's most comprehensive academic medical center and one of the busiest hospital systems in the United States. Based in Indianapolis, Clarian owns or is affiliated with multiple hospitals and health centers throughout the state and maintains a strong partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine—the nation's second largest medical school and a global leader in medical education and research. Learn more at www.clarian.org.

About Workforce Strategy Center

Workforce Strategy Center is a national nonprofit organization that helps workers advance and businesses profit by making education and workforce development more responsive to the economy.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Source: Clarian Health