Introduction to Registered
Apprenticeship:
A Workforce Strategy for
Health Care


ON-THE-JOB
LEARNING:
Subject content
and time
requirements
depend on
occupation and
employer needs
Responsibilities
ensure increased
job competency
over time
RELATED
INSTRUCTION
 Apprentices
receive
technical
training
through a
variety of
methods

MENTORING
Apprentices
work and learn
under qualified
personnel
INCREMENTAL
WAGE INCREASES:

Registered
Apprentices
receive
incremental
wage increases
based on skills
attainment and
job proficiency
2



Apprenticeships include at least 2,000 hours of supervised
and structured on-the-job learning.
Apprenticeships involve a minimum of 144 hours of
instruction in technical subjects related to the occupation.
Healthcare Apprenticeships can take between 1 to 2 years
to complete, depending on the occupation.
3
Registered
Apprenticeship
Sponsors
Apprentices/
Job Seekers
Workforce
System/Education/
other partners
4






Need to Strengthen entry- and mid-level Healthcare Workforce
High Turnover; burnout
One of the fastest growing areas over the next decade
Individuals are not recognized as professionals
Wages
Insuffient training for most entry-level professions
◦ Despite complex and demanding nature of the position, training
requirements are minimal
◦ Training is typically pre-service and on-the-job training
Offers
advancement into nursing, pharmacy, dental, Health IT
and other growing occupations
Creates a pipeline of skilled
workers
Increases retention
Decreases recruitment costs
Improves employee skills,
confidence and quality of
patient care
Increases diversity
6







Highly skilled employees
Recruitment Strategy
Systematic Training
Relevant classroom instruction linked to actual work
experience
Recognition for long-term employees
Employees increasingly capable of advancement
Creation of career pathways
The RA program offers many benefits to
apprentices, including:





A paycheck
Hands-on career training
An Education
A Career
National Certification
8











Certified Nursing Assistant
Community Health Worker
EMT and Paramedic
Dental Assistant
Home Health Aide
Medical Assistant
Medical Transcriptionist
Medical Coder
Pharmacy Tech
Surgical Technologist
Laboratory Technician






Health Unit Coordinator
Direct Support Professional
MRI Tech
Mammography Tech
Licensed Practical Nurse
(military)
Medical Secretary

CVS Pharmacy
◦ Pharmacy Tech Career Ladder
◦ Competency-based model 3 tiers

Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society
◦ CNA competency-based model-4 tiers: Level 1, Advanced, and
at least 2 specialties
◦ Integrated into career lattice
◦ On-the-job skills developed through a mentoring structure

East Texas AHEC/Texas Workforce Commission
◦ Community Health Worker—just beginning
◦ OA and AHEC are promoting the program to hospitals and
clinics
◦ AHEC will provide the instruction
◦ Texas Workforce Commission supports





Joint evaluation
Currently 40 employers in 20 states with RA programs
covering 4 occupations (CNA, DSS, HSS, HHA)
Examine recruitment & retention, wage gains and possibly
other quality of care issues
Phase 1: Feasibility Study—this year
Phase 2: Evaluation Design to be determined by Feasibility
Study
In Health Information Technology, RA is an effective
training model that:
Develops
high-quality technicians and managers
Ensures employer needs are met
Increases productivity
Helps attract and retain high
quality workers at lower costs
12










Health Unit Coordinator
Medical Coder
Medical Transcriptionist
Information Assurance Specialist
Information Management
IT Project Manager
IT Generalist
Programmer Analyst
Web Systems Support Programmer
Network Support Technician

Blue Cross/Blue Shield—South Carolina
◦ Partnership with Midlands Technical College and Alpha
Training Services
◦ Must already have associates degree
◦ 3-year program


Contact your State Director and/or Apprenticeship
Training Representative
You can locate the appropriate contact for your state
here:
http://21stcenturyapprenticeship.workforce3one.org/page/contacts
15




Provide technical assistance to develop a program
Work with you to identify potential employers
Register programs
Provide technical assistance on training protocols in
collaboration with employers
Laura Ginsburg
USDOL/Office of Apprenticeship
202/693-2803
Ginsburg.laura@dol.gov