ApprenticeshipNH, a grant-funded initiative run by the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) to help address workforce needs in the state by developing apprenticeship programs with local businesses, has partnered with Country Village Center in Lancaster and The Morrison Skilled Nursing Facility in Whitefield to offer Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) apprenticeships. The two employers will hire and place apprentices into the LNA training program at White Mountains Community College (WMCC) in Littleton. The program kicks off on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
“We are excited about this partnership and look forward to bringing our first class of apprentices on board in June,” said Joanna Stevens, center executive director at Country Village Center. “We are confident that as much as our residents will benefit from having a highly-trained staff caring for them, the apprentices will find this to be a personally rewarding career path with opportunities for professional growth.”
This LNA apprenticeship program includes 144 hours of paid classroom instruction at WMCC’s Littleton campus and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Upon completing the classroom instruction, apprentices will take the State Board of Nursing licensing exam. As apprentices become proficient and increase their skill sets, they can expect to receive pay increases throughout the apprenticeship.
“Due to our location and the growing demand for the services that we provide, we consistently have needs for LNAs. The apprenticeship program is an ideal way for individuals looking for a healthcare career to become quickly licensed while receiving a paycheck,” said Louise Belanger, executive director for the Morrison Skilled Nursing Facility.
The earn-learn model of ApprenticeshipNH means that apprentices are employees of the organization where they are in training and will receive full-time wages from day one as they work on honing their skills through classroom and hands-on experiences. All classes and training sessions will be held in person, following the college’s and facilities’ COVID-19 safety guidelines.
“The apprenticeship program is a win-win for employers and participants,” said Emily Zeien, ApprenticeshipNH grant manager. “It’s providing senior care facilities with the skilled workforce that they need to best serve their residents, but it is also providing access to a career path for the individuals who will participate.”
Both employers are actively hiring for the apprenticeship, and individuals seeking a career in healthcare are encouraged to inquire ASAP. To learn more, visit apprenticeshipnh.com or contact Vanessa Rashid, apprentice outreach and resource coordinator, at vrashid@ccsnh.edu or 603.289.9429.
