Healthcare Apprenticeships Launch in the Upper Cumberland
The Upper Cumberland Local Workforce Development Board—operating under Workforce Connections—has successfully secured a $270,000 rural healthcare grant to address pressing workforce needs in our region .
🔹 Funding Details & Timeline
The grant runs from February 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, offering financial support to healthcare employers across our 14-county region .
It aims to support approximately 90 apprentices in this round, covering roles such as CNAs, medical assistants, and EMS positions .
🔹 Why This Matters
Our region faces a critical healthcare staffing gap—with roughly 850 open positions in local hospitals and only one nurse per 8,630 residents .
Apprenticeships provide a wage-earning, on-the-job pathway into healthcare careers, addressing workforce shortages while helping residents build sustainable careers .
🔹 How it Works
The funding is structured so healthcare employers can apply to host apprentices, sharing training and employment costs .
Apprentices enroll in Department of Labor–registered programs, with wage progression and hands-on mentoring included .
🔹 Early Local Reaction
Assistant Director Jeremiah Miller explained the board’s goal: “provide funding for 90 apprentices across the Upper Cumberland … work with every county” to fill critical entry-level roles, notably CNAs, medical assistants, and EMS .
Executive Director Becky Hull confirmed outreach has already begun with EMS teams and hospitals, identifying barriers and exploring expanding roles like dental hygienists in under-served counties .
🙌 What It Means for the Region
This community-driven apprenticeship initiative offers a tangible response to longstanding healthcare challenges. By providing structured, paid training opportunities, the program addresses immediate hiring needs and builds long-term capacity—encouraging apprentices to pursue career growth from entry-level to advanced certifications or nursing.
For healthcare employers interested in participating—or for individuals interested in becoming an apprentice—Workforce Connections is accepting applications through June 30, 2026. Contact us at businessservices@ucworkforce.org for more information.
