Governor Walz proclaimed this month as Health Care Month because there is currently a critical need for more health care workers at every level, in every setting, in every part of the state. If you are exploring your career options or thinking about making a career change – and want to do fulfilling work that makes a difference in the lives of others – there has never been a better time to explore employment opportunities in health care.
There are opportunities for Minnesotans to access free training, including through a statewide initiative to recruit, train and deploy Certified Nursing Assistants. Many entry-level health care positions can be started with employer-provided training and many of those positions leverage skills and experience from other industries, meaning people with employment experience from other sectors are encouraged to apply. Wages go up with additional training and certification, which in many cases is also paid for by the employer. There is projected long-term demand for a variety of health care positions, according to DEED’s Labor Market Information office, as well as critically high current demand for many health care workers.
Multiple Minnesota agencies team up to address workforce shortage
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and its partners in CareerForce are hosting health care hiring events around the state. The Minnesota Department of Health is exploring ways to expand access to health care employment by addressing pandemic-induced training and certification bottlenecks and encouraging vaccinations to reduce the burden on the health care system. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is engaging in intensified efforts to connect direct support professionals with Minnesotans with disabilities who need them. The Minnesota Department of Education is sharing health care career exploration information and encouraging school leaders and teachers to connect with local health care employers hiring high school age students now. The Office of Higher Education is leading the effort to enroll, train and deploy 1,000 Certified Nursing Assistants to long-term care locations. Minnesota leaders believe that by working together we can connect Minnesotans with career path employment in critically needed health care positions and address our health care workforce shortage.
Explore health care employment opportunities today!
The critically important role of health care workers has never been more apparent than now as we enter a second winter with COVID-19. Minnesota’s nursing assistants, RNs, respiratory therapists and many others have saved thousands of lives during the pandemic. They need more Minnesotans to join them in this noble and lifesaving work.
Do you want to learn more about employment opportunities – and the ability to find fulfilling work in an industry with high long-term demand while making a difference in the lives of others? Contact a specialist at a CareerForce location near you to get started today!
