When Axis Health System approached the La Plata Economic Development Alliance about the Opportunity NOW grant Axis received to create Healthcare Workforce Pathways, it was because of the Alliance's proven success in establishing the Project Rural Upskill Network.
Project RUN is a collaboration led by the Alliance in partnership with Fort Lewis College and the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative to provide workforce development tailored to area industry and business needs.
As a nimble collaborator to our public, private and philanthropic partners, the Alliance is often found in a space that may seem out of mission. However, incubating and launching economic impact programs, conferences and projects is work the Alliance excels at leading. Through Project RUN and our local partnerships, the Alliance is committed to helping members of our community access quality careers, professional growth and long-term workforce opportunities.
While our higher education partners are working to meet the needs of our rural health care industry, this challenge is proving expensive. A major barrier identified through this work is travel and transportation. Certifications and specialized health care training programs are few and far between in Region 9, with many trainees having to travel out of state or further. The most pressing need to support emerging health care talent is a testing center that can accommodate as many as eight hours of testing. Annie Lawson, lead program navigator of this collaborative work, has identified that building a Pearson VUE Authorized Testing Center would be ideal for our county and will require an initial investment of $15,500 to $34,000 for a small center.
Health care is one of the most in-demand and rewarding industries in our region. From mental health to dental care, patient services to administrative support, the opportunities are broad and growing. As our retiree population grows in La Plata County, so will the need to access health care.
According to the Common Sense Institute, between 2023 and 2050 the number of households headed by someone 65 or older in Colorado is expected to increase by nearly 58%, reaching a projected 979,143 by the end of the forecast period.
For rural health care, we have to work on our recruiting strategy and how we grow our own. Project RUN, in partnership with Axis, Fort Lewis College, the Collaborative and Pueblo Community College, is providing wrap-around support services for individuals interested in a health care career. Offerings include:
- Career exploration tools
- Job search support and resume guidance
- Information about scholarships and training programs
- Local job openings and employer connections
- One-on-one support
Project RUN is also managing the HWP Internship Fund, a workforce development initiative designed to support Region 9 health care employers in creating paid internship opportunities while strengthening the region’s talent pipeline.
The fund provides as much as $3,000 per internship to eligible host organizations. Funding is provided upfront once the application has been approved and the intern has been identified and confirmed. Host organizations hire the intern directly, define the scope of work and supervise the intern throughout the experience.
Workforce development is one of the cornerstones of the Alliance’s mission, and Project RUN will continue to serve La Plata County’s industry and business needs. To date, the Alliance has helped 52 people find health care jobs or attain health care licensures, and have grant funding through the end of this year to continue helping others find their way in the health care ecosystem.
For more information about this health care workforce development program, visit ProjectRunCO.work.
Sarah Tober is executive director of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance.
