Apprenticeship Program Launching in Marion County
EmployIndy is partnering with the Indiana Health Care Association/Indiana Center for Assisted Living to launch a registered apprenticeship program. The organizations say the program will be implemented in skilled nursing and assisted living centers throughout Marion County.
The program is being funded through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor. EmployIndy says it will not only allow employers to design an apprenticeship specific to their staffing needs, but will also address a declining workforce supply in the area if long-term care services.
The organization says apprentices in the program will receive guidance from an experienced mentor and receive progressive wage increases. Participating employers will receive assistance to cover wages and training costs related to the program.
"Apprenticeships offer an opportunity for young people to work, learn, and connect with others who have seen success in a field of work," says Angela Carr Klitzsch, chief executive officer of EmployIndy. "This shows the apprentice a path for career progress and professional development."
EmployIndy says operators of three healthcare facilities have committed to the program with more expressing interest. The goal of the program is to get new Certified Nursing Assistants certified so they can skill up to become Qualified Medication Aides and eventually working to become Registered Nurses.
"It’s a very proactive approach that I think will be helpful," said Shannon Ammerman, administrator at Traditions of Solana in Indianapolis, which will launch its apprenticeship program in early 2018. "The apprentices will hit the ground running and have a point person that can help them and us work through any challenges that arise."
The IHCA/INCAL is also launching a new online CNA training program which it says will allow care centers to train their own nursing assistants from start to finish.