Northeast Indiana Works has formed a regional healthcare consortium to develop and execute strategies to enhance the talent pipeline for the healthcare industry
The Northeast Indiana Healthcare Consortium is scheduled to meet for the first time on Nov. 4
Initial members of the consortium include: Parkview Health; Lutheran Health; IU Health; Cameron Memorial Hospital; Bowen Center; American Senior Communities; Trine University; IU Fort Wayne; Saint Francis University; Indiana Wesleyan University; Ivy Tech Community College; the region’s five Career and Technical Education (CTE) districts; the Region 8 Education Service Center; the Freedom Academy; Questa Foundation; and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
Healthcare is northeast Indiana’s second-largest employing industry and has struggled the past few years to fill open positions. The regional need for healthcare workers at all professional levels is projected to grow significantly during the next 10 years.
The consortium is expected to discuss alignment between healthcare workforce needs and education/training opportunities; creating awareness of healthcare careers; and enhancing work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships.
“The response to the formation of the consortium has been phenomenal and that suggests the urgent and future need to build out the talent pipeline,” said Rick Farrant, director of communications for Northeast Indiana Works.