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Career Pathways In Action

The Health Careers Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati is a career pathway that was developed by a partnership of local health care employers, educators, the workforce investment system, and community agencies. The goal of the partnership is to alleviate occupational shortages in healthcare while providing career opportunities for lower-wage incumbent workers and un/under-employed individuals in the community and increasing diversity in the workforce.

Managing Partners 

• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
• The Health Alliance
• TriHealth
• Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development
• Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Community Partners 

• Dress for Success
• Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
• SuperJobs One Stop Center
• Greater Cincinnati Health Council

The Pathway

The partners have mapped a sequenced pathway of career and educational advancement to fill occupational shortages with incumbent low-skill workers and un/under-employed individuals in the community. Please click here for a visual representation of the pathway

Key Elements of Success

• Employer-driven process
• Tuition pre-payment for incumbent employees
• Funding for developmental education, as well as for-credit certificate and degree programs
• Convenient class locations and schedules for working students
• Flexible work hours to allow employees to attend classes
• Funding for capital and operations for training facilities
• Supportive services to assist with transportation, child care, and job coaching
• Job readiness and soft skill training for entry workers
• Innovative curriculum that is responsive to employer needs
• Transferable credits and articulation between educational institutions
• Multiple entry and exits points along pathway

Outcomes to Date
(As of October 2009)

Entry-Level Workers

• 2100+ un/under-employed individuals completed certificate programs
• 88% completion rate
• 82% job placement rate
• $12.15/hr average wage; 88% with fringe benefits

Incumbent Workers

• 150+ associate’s degree students
• 3.25 average GPA (2.75 comparison)
• 89% retention rate (35% comparison)
• Advance from a $12/hr job to a $22/hr career

More Resources

Health Careers Collaborative How-To Guide: Executive Summary

Health Careers Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati Website