Home Health Aide Apprentice Program Graduates and Trainers -- Lutheran Home Health, Frankenmuth, Michigan
Resources pertaining to the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship training model for direct-care jobs are now conveniently gathered in one place — on the PHI website.
The website compiles:
- background information on the Registered Apprenticeship program;
- five PHI fact sheets explaining how long-term care employers can establish the program in their facilities; and
- links to outside resources and relevant publications.
PHI is “pleased to bring solid resources on registered apprenticeships to long-term care employers, workforce investment boards, policymakers, direct-care workers, and other vested stakeholders,” said PHI Midwest Director Hollis Turnham.
The volume of resources available on the website will grow larger “as more apprenticeship programs are created to deliver high quality supports and services,” Turnham added.
The Department of Labor recognizes four apprenticeships in the field of long-term direct care:
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Health Support Specialist
- Direct Support Specialist
- Home Health Aide
The PHI Apprenticeship website provides resources for all of those categories.
What Is Registered Apprenticeship?
The Registered Apprenticeship program, which has seen a renewal in interest under the Obama administration, combines formal instruction with on-the-job training to allow workers to gain the skills needed to excel in their chosen field, including direct-care work.
“We believe that apprenticeships, which allow direct-care workers to earn while they learn and progress in their careers, are a key strategy for enhancing the quality of long-term care along with direct-care jobs,” said PHI Midwest Training and Organizational Development Specialist Maureen Sheahan.
The program also helps long-term care employers by reducing worker turnover and by enhancing the quality of care that those workers provide.
Among other things, the five PHI fact sheets available on the website contain information for long-term care providers on exactly how to establish apprenticeship programs in their own facilities.
The fact sheets also provide employers with information on how to link their apprenticeship programs to federal and state training requirements, as well as why peer mentoring is such an important component to any successful apprenticeship endeavor.
Dear PHI – It is heartening to know that specific materials which enhance apprenticeable direct care worker occupations will be easily accessed on this website.
In northwest Michigan, we have just initiated a certified nurse aide apprenticeship in our large rural region. We have a consortium approach.Piloting apprenticeship with multiple employers is an incredible challenge which includes issues such as; understanding apprenticeship concepts, wage progression, organizing training, policy guidelines in each organization, tracking, forms and so forth.
But it also has incredible rewards and successes that would not been achievable without the vast knowldege, experience and guidance that PHI and the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship offered.
Just yesterday, 15 apprentices completed a 32 hour Peer Mentor training with PHI’s Cean Eppleheimer and Maureen Sheahan. These new apprentices were glowing and so excited about using the knowledge and skills that they learned from Cean and Maureen into their lives and workplaces. The comments were profound and they were so proud. I cannot wait to talk with them in the next few months to see how they are doing.
One large homecare manager from Munson Health System came up to me and said this is all making so much sense. Everyone one wants to be part of this program. Wow! So thank you PHI for all of your hard work and diligence. I look forward to continuing along the apprenticeship path to increase the quality of care and the quality of life for consumers and workers. Godspeed.
Thanks, Jean! Cean and I felt absolutely honored and privileged to facilitate the incredible women in the peer mentorinig program. As the days of the training progressed and we came to know one another more fully, it got more fun and took on more depth. It was exciting to talk through how the skills apply to all the relationships of our lives, and how they allow us to have more positive experiences with clients, co-workers, and loved ones. We were really moved by the passion everyone has for their caregiving work and their organizations.
It was great to have women from a home health agency and a nursing home together. They appreciated each other’s perspectives and liked learning from one another’s experiences. The consortial approach the NW Michigan Council of Governments is using makes training and apprenticeship so much more accessible and manageable for employers — it’s a brilliant strategy.