Workforce Development Programs Strengthen Beloit’s Healthcare Industry

Enabling Greater Beloit to upskill, attract and retain talented workers is wildly important to the growth of our region.

Not only does it help our local businesses find skilled workers, it also increases Beloit’s chances of attracting new businesses to the region. With that economic boost comes an overall improvement in the quality of life for our residents as well as steadier employment opportunities and greater financial security.

Combined, we are able to position Greater Beloit as a more prosperous and resilient area.

This is especially important in the realm of healthcare. But why has it become such a crucial target for workforce development initiatives?

The Need For Ongoing Partnerships

“Since the pandemic, most any position that is clinically based represents a large area of need. This includes jobs in nursing, physical therapy (athletic trainers), anesthesiologists, CT technologists (medical imaging), medical assistants, phlebotomists, medical laboratory techs, and respiratory therapists,” said Sharon Cox, DNP, MSN, RN and Vice-President/CNO of Beloit Health System (BHS).

While the staffing concerns are improving, the gap emphasizes the need for an ongoing partnership between local schools, colleges, and nonprofits to build a pipeline for future healthcare workers.

This includes Hendrick’s CareerTek (HTC), which not only offers a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, but also Healthcare Exploration in partnership with BHS and Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) and SCRUBS, a six-week nursing experience that takes place in BTC’s simulation labs.

Individual programs are geared towards middle school and high school students as well as healthcare summer academies.

HCT also coordinates field trips to local and state healthcare institutions to give students behind-the-scenes tours to deepen their understanding of healthcare-related careers. 

Keys to Building a Comprehensive Healthcare Career Pipeline

For BHS, the partnerships, both internal and external, represent an opportunity to combine education with hands-on instruction to ensure that students and future employees are well-prepared while also creating a strong, sustainable workforce that’s rooted in the community.

“BHS has intentionally built a comprehensive healthcare career pipeline by partnering with local schools, technical colleges, and higher education. We support individuals through youth apprenticeships, CNA, EMT, paramedic, and nursing programs, from early exposure through professional practice. What sets us apart is our deep involvement in education, curriculum development, and clinical instruction; we are more than just a training site,” said Cox. “We also serve as the primary clinical site for the new Beloit College BSN program and act in an advisory capacity for other fields like Physical Therapy and athletic training.”

Healthcare Jobs in Beloit Provide a Clear Pathway to Job Stability and Advancement

Some of the biggest advantages to working in healthcare are attractive options for anyone entering the workforce, looking to change careers, or hoping to build on their existing area of expertise.

This includes embarking on meaningful, purpose-driven work that directly impacts both patients and the community to forging a clear career pathway with multiple entry points, leading towards job stability, opportunities for advancement, and long-term demand, noted Cox.

She also noted a variety of other advantages such as:

• Transferable skills and credentials that support long-term career mobility
• Ongoing learning, training, and professional development
• Competitive benefits and total rewards packages 
• Variety of clinical and non-clinical roles to match different interests and skills
• Flexible scheduling and work options in many roles
• Team-based, collaborative work environment
• Ability to serve and stay connected to the local community

Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Discover more about the ongoing educational programs offered by CareerTek and Blackhawk Technical College.