Children's Hospitals Today - Spring 2024 - 22

FEATURE / WORKFORCE
" We still have vacancies, but we're
so much further ahead, " Larimore said.
" We're well on our way to solving the
problem. "
The nuts and bolts
The Career Launch program covers tuition,
books, fees, childcare expenses,
transportation, and other expenses so
employees can pursue a certification or
have some flexibility with the students
because life is going to happen. It will
not be a linear process, " said Patrice
Russell, the hospital's director of workforce
development.
Growing employees and
the community
The same economic study that identified
the digital skills gap found Akron
" We still have vacancies, but we're so
much further ahead. We're well on our
way to solving the problem. " -Rhonda Larimore
degree. After graduation, students commit
to working for the hospital for two
or three years.
Career Launch gives students financial
help for an array of barriers.
For example, the program paid for car
repairs and temporary housing for a
student who completed a clinical rotation
two hours from her home during
the pandemic. Students are also able to
choose any childcare provider, including
family members. " It's important to
ranked among the nation's worst
metros for Black unemployment rates
and Black earnings. Akron Children's
engaged with government officials,
workforce agencies, academic leaders,
and city support services to identify
barriers that prevent residents from
seeking a health care career.
" We clearly have a market here of
individuals who would like to work
within the city, but they may not know
about opportunities in health care.
Many are blown away by the economic
opportunity afforded through this program, "
Russell said.
Each semester, 50% of Career Launch
participants come directly from the
community, and 40% are racially diverse.
" We're
proud of those metrics
because we're not just upskilling our
current employees. We're able to provide
opportunities to people across our
region, " Russell said.
Mentorship and guidance
Since many students are the first in
their families to seek higher education,
mentorship is vital. Students are paired
with Akron Children's mentors who
work in the same clinical discipline.
" Our mentors help prepare students
with employability skills and explain
what they will experience once they
graduate. They can also review their
coursework or clinical challenges and
provide perspective, " Russell said.
Community investment
Russell said philanthropic support for
Career Launch has exceeded expectations.
The program has an endowment of
$1.6 million, and a regional bank pledged
$750,000 to support the program.
While philanthropic support is vital,
BY THE NUMBERS
Career Launch's Five-Year Impact
54 graduates
94% job
placement rate
50% increase in pay
19 schools
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CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS TODAY Spring 2024
Children's Hospitals Today - Spring 2024

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