The state of New York is setting aside $646 million to train and recruit direct care workers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced Thursday that three workforce investment organizations — 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds, Iroquois Healthcare Association and the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System — will receive awards over the next three years to implement the Empire State’s Career Pathways Training. In addition to training new caregivers, the program is meant to provide new career advancement opportunities to current healthcare workers.
“The health of every New Yorker depends on a strong, stable and equitable healthcare system, and healthcare workers are its very foundation,” the governor stated. “This investment allows us to continue to retain and grow our healthcare workforce and ensure we deliver the highest-quality healthcare for New Yorkers.”
The program will provide financial assistance for tuition, fees and supplies, as well as offer mentorships and job placements.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Shumer (D-NY) said that the effort will benefit “thousands of healthcare workers.”
“Boosting good-paying healthcare jobs is a win-win-win, a win for our current and future healthcare workers, and a win for New York’s patients and our economy,” he said.
“This investment will ensure the recruitment and training of thousands of healthcare workers, which will translate into better services for patients and increased job opportunities for health professionals across our state,” US Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) added.
Meanwhile, nursing home workers belonging to 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East picketed Thursday outside of five facilities in upstate New York owned by Centers Health Care to draw attention to their own workforce challenges. A brief news report from MSN said the employees were “expressing grave concern about a revolving door of staff and its impact on resident care.”
A union media advisory said that approximately 375 workers have been without a contract for almost a year at facilities in Schenectady, Glens Falls, Troy, New Paltz and Onondaga.
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