Creating a workforce of highly trained certified nurse assistants that will provide a solution to the skilled nursing industry’s staffing crisis
The Center for Caregiver Advancement received a $14 million grant from the California Workforce Development Board’s High Road Training Partnerships (HRTP) Resilient Workforce Fund Initiative to expand our CNA and CNA to LVN Registered Apprenticeship Programs* to reach more workers across the state. The apprenticeship programs are designed to create a pathway for career advancement for nursing home workers while providing a solution to the staffing crisis at skilled nursing facilities.
*These programs prepare participants for the state exam.
If you’re a worker interested in this program, click the link below.
The Need for Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA)
Long-term care workers at skilled nursing facilities in California provide critical care and health support for the state’s most vulnerable communities. However, employee turnover and retention pose massive challenges for the healthcare industry in this sector, with CNA turnover rates reaching nearly 100%.
Workers face significant economic and social barriers that prevent them from being able to enroll in traditional nurse licensing or nurse assistant licensing programs. This contributes to the shortage of qualified nursing assistants.
THE CNA & LVN REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
To help create a pipeline of job-ready nursing home workers, our earn-and-learn apprenticeship program will train 500 new Nursing Assistants in the next three years and pilot a CNA to LVN Registered Apprenticeship Program. The training is free to eligible participants. It includes robust support services and financial incentives that address some of the barriers that prevent many from pursuing training and career advancement.
We will measure the impact of the program on the workers and the industry through an evaluation study.
CNA & LVN Apprenticeship Program: How it Works
A GOAL TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO 500 WORKERS*
(dietary aide, housekeepers, etc., and other community members)
who are ready to take the step toward a nursing career
EARN AND LEARN Participants are hired as apprentices in a nursing aide position and earn wages while they train and prepare for the state certification exam. They also get paid for their hours in the classroom.
RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL Apprentices gain a nationally recognized credential from the U.S. Department of Labor.
NO COST Tuition and all out-of-pocket expenses are paid.
STIPENDS Participants receive stipends to cover costs of childcare, groceries, and transportation.
MENTORING Wrap-around services include mentoring from experienced CNAs and LVNs.
RETENTION BONUS Up to $300
A Labor-Management Partnership
The program is available to unionized skilled nursing facilities** that are in the Education Fund, a training fund for members of SEIU Local 2015. As the only Labor Management Partnership within the skilled nursing industry in California, SEIU Local 2015 and nursing home employers are collaborating with the Center for Caregiver Advancement (CCA) in implementing a framework that advances economic, occupational, gender, and racial equity efforts while providing a pathway to fixing an industry crisis.
Program Benefits for Nursing Facility Employers:
- 100% of participant wages subsidized for their first four weeks of employment as CNAs
- Ability to shape the program specific to their facility needs
- Reduced employee turnover rates
- Increased employee retention
- Elevated quality of care for nursing home residents
- No recruitment and training costs
* SEIU 2015 incumbent nursing home workers from participating facilities or other community members, where eligible.
** Facilities must be unionized skilled nursing facilities that have the SEIU 2015 Education Fund in their collective bargaining agreement. Eligibility is limited to facilities that meet Education Fund contribution limits.
For interested employers or if you are interested in training to prepare for the state exam to become a CNA, reach out to our Education Fund team at edfund@advancecaregivers.org.
