MANCHESTER, NH – Eight apprentices have graduated from a Medical Assistant program through a partnership between Catholic Medical Center (CMC) and ApprenticeshipNH, a grant-funded program housed at the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH). ApprenticeshipNH seeks to address workforce needs in various sectors throughout the state through a combination of classroom instruction with New Hampshire’s community colleges and on-the-job training with the participating company.
On June 29 at Manchester Community College (MCC) graduates were presented with pins to mark the completion of the classroom portion of the program before friends and family.
“It represents the bridge from being a learner to becoming a professional,” said Karen Kobzik, one of the instructors of the program, about what the pin represents. Speaking to the graduates during the ceremony Kobzik added, “You have condensed material that we typically teach over a two-year time period into just three months. You now all have the wisdom to understand that you cannot be stagnant, you must continue learning, for your benefit, and the benefit of your patients.”
Partners include hospital, college, and ApprenticeshipNH
Earlier this year, CMC launched a new Medical Assistant registered apprenticeship program through a partnership with Manchester Community College (MCC) and the ApprenticeshipNH program. The program includes 480 hours of classroom instruction and 3,600 hours of on-the-job training. Upon completion of the program, apprentices are prepared to sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant exam.
“It takes a village to do what you’ve done,” Kristine Dudley, director of the Workforce Development Center at MCC, said to the graduates about how the process is not a solo journey. “It takes a strong support system too. Many of you have done this while balancing a family and a social life.”
The graduating class of eight apprentices is the inaugural class for the CMC registered apprenticeship program. Following the popularity and success of the program, the team at CMC plans to continue the program into the future and into new fields.
“We have eight students who were chosen from a large pool of applicants, and we are all extremely, extremely proud,” said Merryll Rosenfeld, vice president of human resources at CMC. “I’m so proud of all of them for sticking with it and doing what they did. We see ourselves continuing this program, not only with the MA program, but with LNAs as well.”
Apprentices will work in the CMC network
Each of the eight apprentices who received pins have been placed into a position within the CMC network. They will fill those positions and continue to hone their skills through on-the-job training, using the knowledge they obtained throughout their academic course of study.
“The program has pushed me to realize what I can accomplish. It has made me more confident, not only in my professional life and capabilities, but in my personal life as well,” said Cameryn Marchand, one of the graduates who will continue her career with CMC’s Surgical Care Group in Manchester. “My favorite part of the program was probably being able to be put in real-life situations and not rely solely on a textbook. Being able to experience what I was learning hands-on, gave me such a deeper understanding for what I was doing. I am excited to start in my new role, and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity and experience this apprenticeship program has given me.”
Federal grant will enable training 200 more apprentices
More New Hampshire companies will be able to learn from the programs that have been launched from its inception as the U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that the ApprenticeshipNH program has been awarded an additional grant that will extend the program through October 2020. The extension will help train an additional 200 or more apprentices, so they can advance their careers and earnings in New Hampshire and will bolster efforts to build capacity for apprenticeships with employers across the state. This continuation funding of $847,770 will extend the grant from April 30, 2019 and brings the total investment in the program to over $2 million in federal funds.
To learn more about the ApprenticeshipNH program, including additional apprenticeship and sponsorship opportunities, visit earnlearnnh.org, or contact Emily Zeien at apprenticeshipusanh@ccsnh.edu.
About ApprenticeshipNH
The ApprenticeshipNH Program, housed at the Community College System of New Hampshire, is a unique effort that prepares workers as Registered Apprentices to better compete in the modern workforce. Focusing on the Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Information Technology sectors, the ApprenticeshipNH Program provides workers with invaluable opportunities to pursue highly-skilled, high-paying jobs, and opportunities for employers seeking to build a qualified workforce in NH. The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
