The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced $15 million in funding will be allocated to the development of a statewide registered apprenticeship initiative for the healthcare industry to increase the number of career pathway opportunities for registered nurses (RN) and healthcare professionals in the state.
The Statewide Healthcare Registered Apprenticeship Initiative will be designed to connect employers and students. It will establish short-term pathways to entry for healthcare professions by expediting application processes.
“Texas is facing labor shortages in the healthcare industry, and registered apprenticeship offers a proven model to train and upskill our workforce while earning as they learn,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Developing these career pathways for healthcare professionals helps ensure Texans will have qualified professionals to care for them and their families.”
“After convening a group of stakeholders, including experts from Baylor Scott & White and DHR Health to discuss their challenges, it became clear we needed to take immediate action to train more healthcare providers and nurses across the state,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez.
Nursing has been a top demand job posting for the past ten years in Texas, according to TWC’s Labor Market Information group. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the shortage. By 2032, it is anticipated Texas will face a deficit of 57,012 registered nurses.
