(Alexandria, Va.) – Argentum announces it has received a grant to develop and expand nationwide apprenticeships in senior living and related allied health occupations. The U.S. Department of Labor awarded nearly $6 million for Argentum’s Healthcare Apprenticeship Expansion Program (HAEP), following a national competitive process.

The four-year grant will dramatically expand workforce development in the senior living industry. The project will bring together senior living operators, universities, nonprofit organizations, workforce agencies, and other partners including select hospital systems and allied health providers. The partnership projects attaining more than 7,239 registered apprentices in 14 states. Targeted occupations include certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, rehabilitation technicians, and pharmacy technicians; supervisors and executive directors of assisted living communities; and healthcare cybersecurity specialists.

“Senior living providers increasingly see that building robust career paths will be critical to retaining and growing the skilled workers we need,” said Argentum president & CEO James Balda. “This grant is an incredible honor and will help turn that vision into a reality.”

Apprenticeship is a proven model to structure career advancement and learning. In a registered apprenticeship, employers define the on-the-job training apprentices need to earn raises and promotions. Participating employers in the HAEP may join a national steering group to define career paths and competencies, will receive technical assistance to execute apprenticeship, and will have access to funds to pay for training of employees.

Employees will benefit from a clear path for learning and advancement. Apprentices will earn industry-recognized credentials, quality on-the-job training, and case management. All apprentices will have access to a call center for a confidential consultation and access to a complete menu of support services such as transportation assistance.

Argentum has already built momentum toward a national apprenticeship. The organization named an apprenticeship steering group in March 2019, and the group has been working by consensus to identify critical competencies and lay out minimum guidelines for on-the-job training and instruction for caregivers. With each level of completion, participating providers will be granting pay increases or promotions.

For more information on the apprenticeship program, please contact Brent Weil, vice president of workforce development, at bweil@argentum.org or (571) 527-2630.