Health City and NWDA launch training initiative
Health City Cayman Islands
(CNS): Health City Cayman Islands and the National Workforce Development Agency (NWDA) have collaborated on an innovative programme aimed at providing young Caymanians the opportunity to become qualified support-level healthcare administrators. Degrees and careers in the medical field are a top priority for the Government but many Caymanians are unaware of all the other rewarding jobs available in healthcare that do not require advanced training.
The joint initiative, the Healthcare Apprentice Programme, will provide Caymanians 19-25 years old with the opportunity to train for a diploma through Pitman, a globally recognised institution providing training in office, IT, administration, finance and business, and offering a flexible approach to employee development.
“The Ministry of Employment and the NWDA are keen to tap into an industry that traditionally has attracted aspiring Caymanian doctors and nurses but one it recognises can also lead to meaningful employment opportunities at the administration and support staff level,” said Dianne Conolly, NWDA manager for training and development.
The cost of training for the administrative support-level healthcare positions of medical secretary or receptionist will be facilitated by grants through the Ministry of Education. Health City Cayman Islands will provide a one-year paid apprenticeship during which the participant will be required to complete his or her studies, then continue training full time at the hospital, receiving practical, hands-on experience while earning a stipend.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to train Caymanians for the variety of career tracks available at Health City Cayman Islands,” said Gene Thompson, project director. “We are, therefore, excited that our discussions with the NWDA have yielded such an exciting, mutually beneficial, programme.”
Tara Rivers, Minister for Education, Employment and Gender Affairs, added, “The Ministry is working along with Health City to expose Caymanians to job opportunities within the healthcare industry. This is evidenced by the internship opportunities the hospital has provided to almost 500 students and young Caymanians.
“The apprenticeship programme now being launched takes this collaboration one step further by offering formal training to, and certification of the apprentices, which will make them more marketable and employable.”
Charles D. Bush, manager – mission integration & spiritual care at Health City, said the programme would help the facility reach its goal of creating jobs for 3,000 Caymanians.
“This will, ultimately, strengthen our ability to fulfil our mission of high-quality, compassionate healthcare,” he said. “We are looking forward to mentoring and developing these future professionals, who will have the opportunity to apply for available full-time positions, in the area they trained in, on completion of this programme.”
Anyone interested in applying for the apprenticeship programme should email the NWDA’s training and development unit or call 945-3114
Category: Medical and Health, Training
