St. Petersburg College celebrated National Apprenticeship Week by hosting the Healthcare Apprenticeship Information Summit, calling attention to the value of the apprenticeship model in today’s workforce.
The event kicked off with the governor’s proclamation read by Sarah Goldman, District Secretary for Representative Kathleen Peters. Presenters included SPC Apprenticeship Coordinator Susan Biszewski-Eber, Diane Lerch from the only existing health care apprenticeship program in the state, Kim Wallingford who recently completed her coder apprenticeship, and Stephen Seville, Apprenticeship Representative Trainer for Region 3. The audience was comprised of health care employers, Career Edge, and representatives from SPC academic healthcare and Workforce Institute programs.
SPC is the recipient of a five-year, $5 million dollar Department of Labor grant involving apprenticeships. Consortium partners include lead partner Florida State College of Jacksonville and Broward College. The college has helped registered five new programs, including telecommunications and manufacturing. Articulation of apprenticeship credit is currently being developed for the Engineering Technology and Building Arts A.S. degree programs.
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At the summit, Biszewski-Eber said apprenticeships are one of the state’s most effective workforce education programs. Lerch, Director of Coding and CDI at Tampa General Hospital, presented on how the apprenticeship model cut costs by decreasing coder contractors, brought in fresh talent and utilized the organizational and industry knowledge of senior staff members. Wallingford explained how the apprenticeship increased her confidence, knowledge and experience.
National Apprenticeship Week
National Apprenticeship Week supports the efforts of industry, educators, and other stakeholders by highlighting programs and promoting the increase of registered apprenticeship programs and apprenticeships. In Florida, the week marks the 80th anniversary of the passage of the National Apprenticeship Act on Aug. 16, 1937.
Apprenticeships are an employer-driven model that creates partnerships between industry and educational institutions. The goal of an apprenticeship is to provide a mentored pathway of experience that rewards the apprentice by wage increases through meeting competencies and milestones. There is also an element of articulation for credit for some apprenticeships.
There are more than 1500 registered apprenticeable positions registered through the Department of Labor. While many of the positions like the trades are traditional, the DOL is creating non-traditional apprenticeships such as those in healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce. The goal of the American Apprenticeship Initiative is to increase awareness of the model as well as the number of registered apprenticeships and apprentices.
For more information on apprenticeships, contact Susan Biszewski-Eber at Biszewskieber.Susan@spcollege.edu or 727-398-8469.