North Carolina Launches First State Government Health Care Apprenticeship Program
In a groundbreaking move, Governor Josh Stein, alongside NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, unveiled the STEP-NC: Health Care Program at Broughton Hospital in Morganton. This initiative marks the introduction of the first health care apprenticeship program within the North Carolina state government, aimed at bolstering the state’s health care workforce.
The program is a collaborative effort with the North Carolina Business Committee for Education and will initially be piloted at Broughton Hospital and J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. It seeks to create opportunities for high school students, adult learners, and new talent to enter essential health care roles, addressing workforce shortages and mental health needs in the state.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized, “We are facing a critical shortage of health care workers in North Carolina, especially in our state-operated facilities. STEP-NC cultivates a sustainable workforce pipeline starting as early as high school.” He added that the program offers students pathways to free tuition, skill acquisition, and career advancement, contributing to a safer and healthier North Carolina.
According to NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai, “This partnership is one example of the efforts underway to boost the health care workforce in our state.” He noted that the initiative supports various careers, from maintenance to nursing, by establishing pipelines for both clinical and non-clinical positions.
This summer, six recent high school graduates from Burke County participated in the program’s first cohort at Broughton Hospital and J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. They served as pre-apprentices in behavioral health and maintenance technician pathways, with opportunities to advance to registered apprenticeships aligned with their career goals in health care.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) aims to expand these apprenticeship programs to all state-operated facilities. Through the Opt-In program, open to graduating seniors from Burke County Public Schools and sponsored by Industrial Commons, students are referred to the pilot locations. This initiative supports the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships’ objectives to reduce state vacancy rates and increase the number of apprentices statewide.
Dr. Timothy Miller, CEO of Broughton Hospital, stated, “The apprenticeship model responds to critical workforce needs by creating a tailored pathway supporting both employee growth and long-term retention.” He highlighted that the program provides rewarding job opportunities locally in various health care roles, from nursing to maintenance.
Caroline Sullivan, Executive Director of NCBCE, remarked, “By serving as the sponsor of this agreement, NCBCE has taken on the administrative work so DSOHF facilities can focus on training their future talent.” She stressed the program’s role in creating a debt-free career pathway for young people, contributing to workforce innovation in North Carolina.
Besides apprenticeships, the NCDHHS Division of State Operated Health Care Facilities (DSOHF) employs innovative strategies for recruitment and retention. These include same-day hiring events, on-site CNA training, and expanded loan repayment programs for health professionals.
Collaborations with Burke County Schools, Western Piedmont Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Social Work aim to enhance mental health professionals’ training and support, focusing on social workers. These efforts are pivotal in reducing vacancy rates and building a resilient workforce across North Carolina’s public behavioral health system.
Governor Stein’s visit to Broughton Hospital underscores his commitment to advancing behavioral health services in the state. His Executive Order 33 aims to enhance coordination within the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems, emphasizing workforce strengthening.
Recently, Governor Stein also enacted North Carolina’s first full state budget in over two years. This budget allocates funds for Medicaid, expands health care workforce programs, and dedicates over $7 million to bolster mental and behavioral health services in child care facility settings.
Read More Here
