Riverland Community College and Workforce Development Inc. (WDI) has been awarded a Community-Based Job Training (CBJT) grant for more than $1 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to develop and offer online healthcare academies in thirty-seven Minnesota counties that will prepare workers for high-skilled, high-demand and higher-wage careers in the healthcare sector. Community-Based Job Training Grants improve the ability of community colleges to provide their regions? workers with the skills needed to enter growing industries.
Other grant partners include Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, Southwest Minnesota Workforce Investment Board, and Stearns-Benton Workforce Board, at least twelve long-term-care employers, area elementary and middle schools, and Adult Basic Education providers.
Riverland, in cooperation with long-term care centers in the region, have addressed the training needs of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). It has been determined that by increasing skills and knowledge in such topical areas as restorative care, clinical observation, psych-social needs, dementia, and mentoring, CNAs may have the opportunity to increase their hourly wages.
Currently, simulation training modules are being developed to provide topical training through online college courses. These courses will be able to be accessed by current CNAs at their work site through the use of computers funded through the DOL grant. CNAs completing these courses will not only add to their skill base, they will increase their hourly wage and continue to build upon their college credentials.
In addition, the DOL grant supports a K-12 audience by hosting fifth and eighth grade students to the Austin Campus to introduce them to career opportunities in the world of science and healthcare.
"Riverland is looking to work with regional long-term care centers to collaborate on the development of training content in an effort to most accurately address the skills and knowledge critical to providing quality care to their residents," said Kari Busch, Riverland dean of academic affairs - health, science and services. "Their participation may result in opportunities to not only provide easily accessible training to their employees, but also to acquire computers and related technology for their facility."
If interested, representatives should contact Busch at 800-247-5039, kari.busch@riverland.edu.
Riverland Community College has a history of using federal funding effectively through collaboration with educational, workforce development, and industry partners. In 2005 Riverland built a world-class Health Sciences Simulation Laboratory on the Austin campus with support from a $2.2-million U.S. Department of Labor CBJT grant. The simulation lab and other programs and scholarships stemming from the grant are part of a consortium project that Riverland leads with three sister colleges, two workforce investment boards, twenty K-12 school districts and medical facilities across south central and southeastern Minnesota.
"Riverland is a member of a select group of colleges that have received two DOL grants," said Riverland Community College President Dr. Terrence Leas. "Collaboration, partnerships and team work are integral elements that have helped make Riverland successful."
Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI) is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to developing and advancing the workforce. Workforce Development, Inc. services are focused on low-income and disadvantaged populations dealing with multiple barriers to achieving meaningful employment. On an annual basis, Workforce Development, Inc. serves thousands of people through career planning and pre-vocational skill training, including Pre-Employment Healthcare Academies.
Pre-employment Healthcare Academies offer training to students who are interested in either entering or moving up a healthcare career ladder. For more information, contact your local Workforce Development, Inc. office.
Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Approximately 4,000 students are served, annually, through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities. An additional 5,600 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Facilities are located in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 240,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 130,000 students in non-credit courses.
