Jump Start Careers in Health Care for Young People
Waterbury Youth Services has been awarded a $81,533.51 grant from the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board to launch Career Builders in Health” to train, certify, and place young adults ages 16 to 24 into Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) jobs, followed by supports that help participants pursue a post- secondary education.
“The health professions are a major growth sector of the economy,” says Waterbury Youth Services’ Executive Director Kathi M. Crowe. “The demand for Certified Nursing Assistants continues to rise. At the same time, successful CNAs are well-positioned to further their educations and become Physical Therapy Assistants, Nurses, Paramedics, Pharmacy Technicians, and other health professionals with associate degrees.”
After job placement, Career Builders in Health will provide mentoring and peer support to enhance on-the-job performance. Additional workshops and personal counseling will guide participants toward a two-year medical training program of their choice.
“The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board promotes business growth and economic opportunity by expediting talent matching and provides access to training programs that address skill gaps,” says Catherine N. Awwad, Executive Director of Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board. “We’re excited to partner with Waterbury Youth Services on this new initiative that is designed to encourage participants to use their CNA experience as a stepping stone to further job opportunities in the health field.”
Waterbury Adult Education will be a leading partner in this program. Their curriculum will incorporate classroom learning with clinical experience in a local nursing home
WYS has begun the recruitment phase of Career-Builders in Health, which is completely free of charge to eligible participants. To qualify, young adults must be 16 to 24 years old, not enrolled in an educational program and unemployed or underemployed in minimum-wage jobs.
Update: Program slots have been filled