Milwaukee Healthcare Workforce Initiative

Developing a diverse, qualified candidate pool for employment in health care systems across the Milwaukee area

Full Project Name:Milwaukee Healthcare Workforce InitiativePrimary Community Organization:Employ Milwaukee Inc.Primary Academic Partner:Greer Jordan, PhD, Institute for Health and EquityAward Amount:$500,000

Award Date

July2021

Project Duration:36 months

Project Summary:

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020), health care careers account for the largest gap between available talent and the number of job openings. As of August 2020, the nationwide shortage was a staggering 1,107,000 positions. Wisconsin health care organizations reflect the national shortage, with vacancies in registered nurses, lab technologists, surgical technicians, and certified nursing assistant roles.

Through this award, project partners will create a workforce pipeline to support the region's high-growth health care industry through a focused, employer-led, demand-driven training program aimed at creating a diverse candidate pool for Advocate Aurora Health and other health systems across the greater Milwaukee area.

Community partners:
Social Development Commission, Milwaukee JobsWork, Milwaukee Urban League, RiverWorks Development Corp., Journey House

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Recruited and trained partner agencies and established best practices for referral system and tracking outcomes through the referral database
Recruited 276 participants and supported 185 individuals to complete skills-based training, with 87 program graduates obtaining employment
Conducted nine Certified Nursing Aid (CNA) trainings