New Medical Assistant apprenticeships are investing in employees to provide innovative health care of the future

Summary

A new partnership between labor unions and health care employers in the Puget Sound region is launching a Medical Assistant apprenticeship program in Fall 2019. This initiative aims to increase access to equitable health care and provide career-path opportunities for young people in the area.

The program, developed by Kaiser Permanente and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, is a major outcome of Governor Inslee's Career Connect Washington program. It represents a collaborative effort to connect youth to high-demand, high-wage careers, while addressing workforce issues in the healthcare sector.

Why this matters for apprenticeships

This apprenticeship model emphasizes on-the-job training, significantly enhancing the skills of participants while providing them with guaranteed employment. By fostering partnerships between labor and management, it addresses workforce shortages and promotes equity in the healthcare profession.