Transcript North Shore Workforce Investment Board North Shore Career

Health Care Learning Network
TM
Board Meeting
September 13, 2007
What we know about careers in health care
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There is a significant and growing vacancy rate in
nursing and allied health professions.
Health care professional careers bring workers out
of poverty and into economic self sufficiency.
Health care professional careers truly require highly
skilled people who are always learning.
Individuals in low skilled jobs are often good
candidates for upgrade BUT require unique learning
environments and tools to make it happen.
Existing structures do not meet these employees’
needs.
New venues, including creative uses of technology
and contextualized learning, are (perhaps) the
answer.
What we know about jobs in health care
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Health Care is the second-largest employer in
the North Shore, trailing only Retail Trade.
Health Care overall has grown significantly over
the past five years, from 23,746 in September
2001 to 25,704 in September 2006.
Job growth in the Health Care industry has
primarily been driven by two factors: increased
demand for technical skills and the aging of the
population.
Health Care Learning Network™ (HCLN™) –
North Shore
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Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund grant in
the amount of $500,000 over 2 years.
Funding will address the need for critical postsecondary preparation courses that are
customized for the long-term care health care
industry (potentially acute care settings as well)
and create the reality of a career ladder for
Certified Nurse Assistants and other entry level
workers to become practical nurses or other
allied health professionals.
Goals of the HCLN™ – North Shore project
1. Develop and implement a customized online and face-to-face system through which
incumbent front line health care workers will
gain the academic skills necessary to enter
college; and
2. Fill a growing industry need for Licensed
Practical Nurses (LPNs) and other
advanced allied health occupations.
How HCLN™ evolved
HCLN™ is a natural evolution of previous programs
such as ECCLI, HealthcareWorks and PNX. It is
intended to institutionalize successes, capitalize on
learnings and correct shortcomings from these
programs.
What is the HCLN™ – North Shore
Learning and Instruction - Courses
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Contextualized college preparatory program to
prepare workers to directly enroll in post-secondary
certificate or degree health education programs and
eliminate the need for remedial and developmental
courses.
 Preparation for Allied Health
 Math
English for speakers of other languages along with
health care core skills will be integrated into all
coursework.
Learning and Instruction (Contd)
Instructional Settings
Content will be delivered :
 On-line learning available from work, home, a library,
community computing center, career center, or portable
learning assistants.
 Face-to-face classes offered periodically by qualified
instructors who are available evenings and weekends
and who understand how to integrate work problems,
concepts, processes, and terms in classroom learning
activities.
 Tutoring sessions offered by volunteers - ECCO.
Participant Career Support
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Direct patient care, technical and clericaladministrative career lattices are the three major
pathways in the health care industry.
HCLN™ will offer career support that will enable
each worker to create an individualized learning
plan.
 Career coaches,
 Staff mentors and peers will provide support
and guidance.
Learning Management System allowing all
parties to see and participate in student
progress.
Partnership HCLN™ – North Shore
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Kindred Health Care, Ledgewood Rehab &
Skilled Nursing Center, and Seacoast Nursing
and Rehabilitation Center (representing 7 nursing homes) ;
World Education Inc;
Essex County Community Organization;
North Shore Career Center;
NSWIB, MSWREB,GLWIB, and MVWIB; and
North Shore Community College…others.
Kindred’s Motivation
Laurie Roberto, Executive Director of Ledgewood Nursing and
Skilled Rehabilitation Facility in Beverly, MA
 Company needs
 Company philosophy toward employees
 Company financial commitment
 Other
Status of Project to Date
Henry Bryson, Project Implementation Manager
 Status of Curriculum Development
 Status of Employee Assessment
 Status of Learning Management System
 Status of Worker Support
 Other – Funding and expansion to other regions
A sneak peak ….
How Can WIB Members Participate?
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Help identify w/ companies needs and trends within
various industry sectors and the labor force;
Work with policy makers and educators and to stress
economic value of working with companies on tailored
programming to meet the needs of an industry;
Look for linkages between potential north shore and
state partners;
Inclusion of Community-based and other new partner
organizations; and
Showcase success stories.