Edmonds CC to train workers for local health care jobs
09/29/2010
Edmonds College has received a federal health and human services grant to train workers for critical, local health care jobs.
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a major investment for Edmonds College to help train local low-income individuals for careers in health care. Murray has been a leader in the Senate in working to make the necessary investments to help Washington state communities train workers and create jobs in the health care sector.
“There are open health care jobs,” said Senator Murray. “We just need to get people the skills to fill them. This funding will help Edmonds College provide those struggling to find work the skills necessary to care for local seniors and families, assist in our hospitals, and begin a career in one of our state’s fastest growing industries. If we are going to put our state back to work we have to focus on smart targeted investments like this one that put job-seekers in a position to succeed.”
The funding that Edmonds College will receive will provide local low-income individuals with successful training programs for a variety of health care professions, including: home care aides, certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, emergency medical technicians, licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses, dental assistants, and health information technicians. Edmonds College can also use the funding for supportive services such as transportation, dependent care, and temporary housing.
“Not only will we be able to train low-income adults in Snohomish County to fill critical jobs in health care, we will start them on the path to advanced careers in the health sciences,” said Edmonds College President Jack Oharah. “This grant gives us access to an innovative way to use technology to offer training and meet employers’ needs. It will be a new model for Washington state. We very much appreciate Senator Murray’s support, not only of this grant, but also her long-standing support for higher education in Washington.”