Atlantic County Program Offers Paid Training and Pathway to Health Care Careers

A workforce development initiative at Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is helping residents gain experience, pursue nursing assistant certification and potentially secure permanent employment.

NORTHFIELD, N.J. — Atlantic County residents looking for a new career in health care may be able to earn money while receiving training through a workforce development initiative at the county-operated Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The program provides eligible participants with paid work experience and an opportunity to pursue certification as a nursing assistant, creating a potential pathway to permanent employment.

Fran Kuhn, executive director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, discussed the initiative during a Sept. 23 appearance on Klein Time with Dan Klein on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.

Kuhn said the program has been operating for slightly more than a year and is helping connect residents with employment opportunities in the health care industry.

Participants may receive up to $6,000 in subsidized wages while gaining practical experience at Meadowview.

The arrangement also gives the county-operated nursing facility an opportunity to evaluate prospective employees before offering them permanent positions.

According to Kuhn, more than half of the participants have remained employed following their involvement in the program.

"The sticking rate is consistently over 50%," he said.

The initiative is part of Atlantic County's broader effort to connect residents with career opportunities while helping local employers recruit and train workers.

Earning While Learning

For residents who are unemployed, underemployed or interested in changing careers, the cost of training can be a significant obstacle.

The Meadowview initiative is designed to help address that challenge by providing eligible participants with paid work experience while they develop skills needed for employment in a nursing facility.

Kuhn said participants can receive up to $6,000 in subsidized wages through the program.

The funding allows individuals to gain experience in a health care environment while reducing the financial pressure associated with entering a new profession.

The program also provides Meadowview with an opportunity to observe participants' performance, assess their suitability for available positions and potentially transition them into permanent employment.

For residents interested in becoming certified nursing assistants, the experience can provide an introduction to the responsibilities and working environment of a long-term care facility.

Certified nursing assistants help patients and residents with essential daily activities, including bathing, dressing, eating and mobility.

They also assist nursing staff and help monitor patients' basic care needs.

The position can provide an entry point into the health care industry for individuals who may later pursue additional education or nursing credentials.

Training Grants Can Help Cover the Cost of Certification

In addition to subsidized work experience, Atlantic County's workforce development system offers occupational training assistance to eligible residents.

Kuhn said qualifying participants may receive training grants of up to $6,000 to help cover the cost of approved programs.

Those opportunities include training for residents interested in becoming certified nursing assistants.

Kuhn explained that CNA training programs typically take approximately four to six weeks, although the length of an individual program depends on the training provider and course schedule.

Participants must complete the applicable training and certification requirements before working as certified nursing assistants.

For residents who qualify, workforce training assistance can reduce the financial barriers associated with entering the profession.

The availability of funding and specific program requirements depend on individual eligibility, approved training providers and available workforce development resources.

Residents interested in participating should contact the Atlantic County One-Stop Career Center to learn about current opportunities and determine whether they qualify.

Helping Meadowview Recruit Workers

The program also addresses the staffing needs of Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a county-operated long-term care facility in Northfield.

By providing paid work experience, the initiative allows prospective employees to become familiar with the facility and the responsibilities associated with caring for its residents.

Meadowview, in turn, can evaluate participants before deciding whether to offer them permanent employment.

Kuhn said the program's retention rate has consistently exceeded 50%.

That figure reflects the program's reported experience with participants remaining in employment, although a detailed breakdown of the number of people enrolled, completing training and securing permanent positions was not provided during the interview.

The program represents one approach to connecting residents seeking employment with employers that need trained workers.

It also creates an opportunity for people who may not have previous health care experience to explore a new career while receiving financial support.

Workforce Training Extends Beyond Health Care

The Meadowview initiative is one example of Atlantic County's broader workforce development efforts.

During his interview, Kuhn also discussed training opportunities in other industries, including welding.

He identified the Atlantic County Institute of Technology as a potential resource for residents interested in developing welding skills.

Kuhn also discussed possible employment opportunities associated with shipbuilding in Philadelphia, illustrating how regional workforce programs can connect South Jersey residents with jobs beyond Atlantic County.

The county's workforce development system works with employers, educational institutions and training providers to identify available opportunities and help residents develop skills that match employer needs.

"We have two customers. We have the job seeker and we have the employer," Kuhn told Klein. "And tying those two people together is the best way to make everything work."

For residents interested in health care, the Meadowview program offers a potential opportunity to enter an established industry without immediately assuming the full financial burden of occupational training.

How to Learn More

Atlantic County residents interested in the Meadowview initiative or other workforce training opportunities can contact the Atlantic County One-Stop Career Center at 2 S. Main St. in Pleasantville.

The center provides employment assistance, career counseling and information about available occupational training programs.

Residents can ask about eligibility for subsidized work experience, training grants and programs that prepare participants for certification in health care and other occupations.

The availability of specific training opportunities and funding may vary.

For those interested in becoming certified nursing assistants, the Meadowview initiative offers a potential combination of paid experience, career preparation and an opportunity for permanent employment.

And for Atlantic County's workforce development system, the program demonstrates how partnerships with local employers can help residents build new careers while addressing the region's employment needs.

Fran Kuhn, executive director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, discussed the Meadowview workforce training initiative during a recent appearance on Klein Time with Dan Klein on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND. Klein Time airs Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m.