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George Mason University’s Center for Health Workforce is a partner in Virginia Works’ recently launched Healthcare Careers for Everyone, the next Virginia Has Jobs resource designed to help Virginians of every background and experience level explore, train for, and step into healthcare careers. The page is available now at virginiahasjobs.gov/healthcare.
Built around a simple three-step path – Pick Your Starting Point, Navigate, and Get Support – the website brings together Virginia’s leading digital healthcare career navigation resources from partners across the state. Together, these resources help individuals, particularly adult career changers and pivoters, increase their awareness of pathways, training options, and direct connections to employers.
The launch responds to sustained demand across the Commonwealth’s health systems and opportunity for Virginia’s workforce system to help meet that demand. More than 1.9 million openings per year are projected nationally in healthcare support and non-practitioner roles from 2024 to 2034 – many of them accessible through short-term certifications and on-the-job training. Healthcare Careers for Everyone is built to help more Virginians identify and reach those opportunities faster and more affordably.
“A good job in healthcare should be within reach for every Virginian. Our Healthcare Careers for Everyone resource makes developing the necessary skills and navigating the healthcare career pathways easier than ever. By bringing training, credential, and employer information together in one place, we’re helping people move from interest into healthcare careers faster, and we’re helping our health systems find the talent they need right here at home,” said the Honorable Jessica K. Looman, Virginia Secretary of Labor.
“Every Virginian deserves access to quality care close to home, and that starts with having enough skilled people to deliver it,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. “The healthcare workforce shortage is one of the most significant challenges facing our communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and Healthcare Careers for Everyone helps people see the many pathways into this field and connects them to the training, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, and move the commonwealth forward”
The new online resource helps Virginians explore career pathways beyond the usual hospital setting. From behavioral health to imaging techs, and from administrative support to transportation, Healthcare Careers for Everyone underscores Virginia Works’ commitment to enabling Virginia’s job seekers to explore non-traditional roles in the healthcare industry and unlock new career possibilities.
The Center for Health Workforce is a leader in Virginia’s healthcare workforce research, data analytics, and workforce strategy.
“The future of healthcare careers in Virginia has never been more important, or more promising. As demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow across the Commonwealth, students and job seekers have unprecedented opportunities to enter high-impact, high-demand careers that strengthen both our communities and our economy”, said Caroline Sutter, DNP, Director, Center for Health Workforce. “The key is ensuring people have access to clear workforce data, career pathways, and the education and training needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.”
Resources are from partners including the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA)’s OnBoardVirginia.com, the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority’s Health Careers Playbook available at vahealthcareers.org, the Virginia Partnership for Health Science Careers’ Career Highway available at virginiahealthcareers.org, Virginia’s Community Colleges, and Virginia Works and the local workforce development ecosystem.
To learn more or get involved, contact communications@virginiaworks.gov.
This has been modified from the original Virginia Works press release.