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November 17, 2021

CT gets $10M federal grant for apprenticeship programs

Yehyun Kim | CT Mirror Sara Khalid, a nurse practitioner, disinfects Gregory Borino, of New Haven, for COVID-19 vaccination.
By Zachary Vasile

Connecticut is set to receive $10 million from the federal government to help support and expand the state’s registered apprenticeship programs.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the grant Wednesday as part of a broader, $130 million package, which will be split among 19 states. Connecticut was one of only five states on that list to receive the maximum per-state award of $10 million.

In a statement, Connecticut’s interim labor commissioner, Dante Bartolomeo, said the money will be spent on training initiatives for prospective healthcare workers, allowing the state to train approximately 1,250 people for such roles over the next four years.

Specifically, the enrolled apprentices will train as emergency department technicians, clinical technicians and patient care workers, according to labor officials.

“As we head toward full recovery in Connecticut following the impact of the pandemic, this grant is particularly timely and will help us build momentum for years to come,” said Gov. Ned Lamont. “Healthcare is among Connecticut’s largest employment sectors. Having strong workforce development options for employers positions Connecticut to continue to grow our economy at the same time that we offer the highest-quality healthcare to our residents.”

The new infusion of federal dollars comes as Connecticut, like many states, deals with a persistent labor shortage. The crisis cuts across almost all industries but has been particularly acute in healthcare settings, where nurses and technicians have for almost two years borne the brunt of COVID-19’s several waves. Growing caseloads and prolonged exposure to seriously ill and dying patients has contributed to endemic burnout in the profession, with many leaving to seek other careers.

The situation has been exacerbated by the firing of nurses and other healthcare workers who refused to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Programs administered through the Labor Department’s Office of Apprenticeship combine classroom learning with on-the-job training.

There are more than 6,700 apprentices in Connecticut registered with nearly 1,700 companies across 50 occupations. The healthcare apprenticeship program has nearly 1,000 registered apprentices in nursing and surgical technology fields working at facilities such as Yale New Haven Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital and Greenwich Hospital.

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