An aging population and the implementation of federal health care reform are contributing to the increased demand for the services of health care workers. Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1797, which would require the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, at the Department of Industrial Relations, to lead and coordinate a stakeholders group to identify opportunities for apprenticeships in the health care field.
Registered apprenticeship training has been increasingly recognized as a highly effective workforce strategy for building skills and earnings in entry- and middle-level jobs and increasing recruitment and retention in health care related fields.
"The demand for health care workers provides us with the opportunity to develop alternative training programs to build and fill health care career paths," said Rodriguez. "By introducing apprenticeships in areas where there are shortages, employers can design apprenticeship pathways ensuring they have a pipeline of workers in high-wage, high-demand jobs."
In December 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that occupations and industries related to health care are projected to add the most jobs between 2012 and 2022 increasing by 10.8 percent or 15.6 million jobs during the decade.
The Division of Apprenticeship Standards will have until December 1, 2015 to submit a report to the legislature that includes recommendations on qualifications for entry into health care apprenticeship programs, standards for these programs and identification of a qualified pool of candidates.
Contact: Francisco Estrada, (916) 319-2052