Westchester County Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program Exceeds Enrollment Goals, Connects More Than 100 Graduates to Meaningful Employment Opportunities

The Westchester County Office of Economic Development (OED) and Westchester County Association (WCA) today announced the Westchester Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program (HTPP), which launched in spring of 2022, has connected 101 hires to employment. The combined income of those who have successfully secured employment is more than $3.2 million, which represents an economic return of 10:1. Participants have begun working with local organizations, including ENT & Allergy Associates, Epic Healthcare, Nyack Hospital, Mt. Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “The healthcare industry’s workforce was significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program, we aimed to train the industry’s next generation of employees to help address a pervasive talent shortage. The early success of the program demonstrates that breaking down common barriers to skills training, higher education and economic stability is critical for ensuring employers have access to the local talent they need to fulfill their missions.”

Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County Director of Economic Development, said: “The Westchester County Association has skillfully bridged the gap between employers’ needs and the barriers that were deterring students from pursuing training in the healthcare field. The program has attracted a diverse pool of students, many of whom are bilingual, who are now equipped to support our local healthcare employers as their newest, skilled team members. We thank the Westchester County Association for leading this important program and the many partners and employers who have helped to make it a success.”

Jason Chapin, Westchester County Association Director of Workforce Development, said: “The program has been a big success because of the strong partnerships that have been created and the significant supports and resources that have been provided to job seekers. It’s also great to know HTPP is helping healthcare employers fill key positions and build new and sustainable talent pipelines. We’re very grateful to the County for making this possible.”

The HTPP, funded by Westchester County, was designed to recruit 160 job seekers and employees to be trained by Westchester Community College (WCC) and SWBOCES for certified nursing assistant, medical assistant and medical administrative assistant jobs. Participants received computer training from The STEM Alliance and job readiness and service excellence training from Leadership Learning Group. The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board provides major funding for the program’s healthcare training at WCC and SWBOCES. Nonprofit Westchester and other nonprofits were enlisted to assist with recruitment and support services. The program’s employment partners include ENT & Allergy Associates, Westmed/Summit Health, Open Door Family Medical Center and United Hebrew of New Rochelle. Westchester County funds $1,000 stipends to participants to help them cover expenses while in training and job searching. Given the success of the program it will be expanded to train more individuals in the future.

About The Westchester County Office of Economic Development

The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life. This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/.