CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia and Dwyer Workforce Development Partner to Answer Urgent Healthcare Workforce Needs
Last fall, CareerSource Brevard, now CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia (CSBFV), established a strategic partnership with Dwyer Workforce Development (DWD) to offer Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) career scholarships, training, and career coaching.
In response to the healthcare industry’s critical shortage of skilled professionals, DWD’s CEO Barb Clapp said the goal is to “cultivate a robust healthcare workforce and improve senior care.” According to DWD, Florida’s 60+ population will increase by 11.5%, with new federal staffing requirements for nurses and other healthcare staff, prompting new urgency to the need for innovative health care talent solutions.
Employers are looking to hire additional CNAs to provide their senior residents with excellent patient care,” stated Marci Murphy, President of CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia. “Our commitment to fostering economic development across the tri-county region we serve aligns perfectly with DWD’s mission to bridge the workforce gap in the senior healthcare industry. We are proud to partner with DWD as they pioneer a promising future for Florida’s healthcare workforce and aging population.”
DWD is facilitating an attainable path to nursing and other healthcare careers through an innovative career model that includes training, job placement support, need-based wraparound services (such as subsidized childcare, transportation vouchers and affordable housing) and person-centered case management to individuals who lack opportunities, helping them become registered CNAs. DWD continues their support to CNA graduates who want to continue their postsecondary education with college tuition funding. This approach allows students to begin earning money as CNAs while enrolling in a Florida college to graduate with an AA degree or higher.
“This is a valuable partnership for businesses and jobseekers,” says Marci Murphy. “This unique, community-based career path provides a huge opportunity to help individuals improve their lives, provide employers with a larger, trained talent pool, and patients with quality care.”
Interested in CNA Training? Here’s how it works:
- Balancing work and family responsibilities can make starting a new career seem overwhelming. But we’ll help every step of the way and will connect you to services that help you succeed (such as housing, transportation, childcare support, career guidance, and more!)
- Upon completion of your CNA training program, we’ll connect you to find the right job.
- Once working, career advisors will support you to be successful, develop career goals and outline a plan to reach your goals.
- After completing one year of employment as a CNA, you may be eligible for a scholarship to achieve your Registered Nurse (RN) license or pursue other free healthcare job training for other specialties such as Medical Technician, Patient Care Technician, Administrator, and more.
If the healthcare field is what interests you, now is the time to set a career path to become a CNA. Find out more and complete the form to get started!
* Eligibility is based on household income and/or employment at time of application.