Growing a Healthcare Workforce Through Apprenticeship

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  Jeremiah Johnston, Elizabeth Webb, Brandy Kozlowski

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  Carrie Scofield and Brittany Tudor

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  Jeremiah Johnston and Madison Smith

As the demand for qualified healthcare professionals continues to grow, Alcona Health Center has found a valuable way to develop talent from within its own workforce. The organization partnered with Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium to create structured career pathways that allow employees to gain the skills, training, and industry-recognized credentials needed to advance while continuing to work and serve patients.

Working closely with Apprenticeship Specialist Jeremiah Johnston, Alcona Health Center established a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program for Medical Assistants. The program combines related technical instruction with structured, hands-on training under the guidance of experienced healthcare professionals. As the program sponsor, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium develops and maintains the apprenticeship standards while providing ongoing support with registration, documentation, progress tracking, and compliance.

That partnership has already produced meaningful results. Brittany Tudor, Carrie Scofield, and Elizabeth Webb recently completed Alcona Health Center's Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program, earning nationally recognized U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship credentials. Each also earned their Certified Medical Assistant credential through the National Healthcareer Association—demonstrating how apprenticeship can help employees build specialized skills and advance their careers.

Now, Alcona Health Center is building on that success.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and Alcona Health Center have finalized a new Registered Apprenticeship Program for Pharmacy Technicians, expanding the organization's use of apprenticeship into another important healthcare occupation. Madison Smith has officially been registered as the program's first Pharmacy Technician apprentice, marking an exciting new chapter in Alcona Health Center's ongoing investment in its workforce.

By expanding Registered Apprenticeship into multiple healthcare career pathways, Alcona Health Center is creating opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and advance while helping the organization prepare for future staffing needs. From Medical Assistants to Pharmacy Technicians, the continued growth of these programs demonstrates a long-term commitment to developing skilled talent from within and strengthening the healthcare workforce serving Northeast Michigan communities.