President Cites Atlanta BeltLine Workforce Partnership in Healthcare as National Model

In signing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act on Tuesday, President Obama cited the Atlanta BeltLine Workforce Partnership in Healthcare as one of 35 model programs from across the country. The Administration called for job-driven training as an essential pillar of U.S. economic strategy and profiled successful local efforts to be replicated nationally.

“This recognition from President Obama highlights the power of partnerships in Atlanta,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “The work of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership on this job training and placement program is as transformative as the Atlanta BeltLine itself and speaks directly to our ability to bring people together to create new opportunities for our citizens.”

“We are honored that the Atlanta BeltLine Workforce Partnership in Healthcare is being cited as a national model,” said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Interim Executive Director Rob Brawner. “The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership is fortunate to be collaborating with Atlanta CareerRise, Grady Health System and other terrific partners in this important endeavor.”

The Atlanta BeltLine Workforce Partnership in Healthcare is providing participants with the job readiness training, technical training, and coaching support required to secure full-time, entry-level healthcare employment as the first step towards a healthcare career. The innovative, employer-focused program combines the complementary strengths of New Hope Enterprises, The Center for Working Families, Inc., and Atlanta Technical College to prepare unemployed people in Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods for entry into clinical and administrative careers at Grady.

The program was initiated with a planning investment from Atlanta CareerRise in spring 2013, followed by an implementation investment in December 2013 to support the launch of a pilot program. Additional program support has been provided by the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and the Georgia Department of Labor. Atlanta CareerRise renewed its implementation support in April 2014, and applications are now being accepted for a second 40-person cohort to begin training on August 22.

“This healthcare industry partnership exemplifies the model of workforce development CareerRise and its funders are championing in metro Atlanta” said Cinda Herndon-King, Director of Atlanta CareerRise. “The best employment outcomes for both participants and employers result when there is deep employer engagement, seamlessly aligned services and a detailed knowledge of the issues surrounding the sector and the frontline worker.”

“For Grady, the Atlanta BeltLine Workforce Partnership in Healthcare is a natural extension of our commitment to making Atlanta a healthy and productive city. We have gained well-trained, energetic new employees who now have the opportunity to continue their career development at one of the country’s leading academic medical centers. This truly is a win-win for everyone,” said Clay England, Executive Director, Human Resources, Grady Health System.

Atlantans served by this program are typically unemployed. About 40 percent of the first group – a third of whom were homeless at some point in their lives – has minor children. Participants receive healthcare benefits through support of Kaiser Permanente to New Hope Enterprises. More information about the program – including how to apply for the next cohort – can be found at www.beltline.org/careers-in-healthcare.

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