Advocate Workforce Initiative Launches Jobs Training Program

Last week, Advocate South Suburban Hospital ushered in a new wave of economic hope for Chicago’s Southland community, by launching the fourth and final installment of the Advocate Workforce Initiative (AWI) – a health care jobs training program that since 2015 has connected over 900 unemployed and underemployed adults with skills training for good paying, middle skill jobs across Chicagoland.

“The Advocate Workforce Initiative is a modern and sustainable solution to the growing need for talent in Chicagoland’s healthcare industry. Through this initiative we are providing high-quality training and access to real-time career opportunities within healthcare,” said Advocate Aurora Health’s Director of Workforce Development Clayton Pryor.

Funded by a $3 million grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co. and led by Advocate Health Care, the Advocate Workforce Initiative addresses the health care industry’s workforce needs by creating a pipeline of well-trained candidates in occupations where there are shortages of qualified job applicants. At the same time, the jobs training program reaches into hardest-hit communities to offer low-to-moderate income men and women opportunities to increase their earning potential over a lifetime.

“We help people live well and we do this in a variety of ways. Through the Advocate Workforce Initiative, we are helping to build healthier communities. And healthier communities equal healthier individuals,” said Randy Varju, president of the Advocate Aurora Foundations, during an October 31 program launch celebration. Hospital leaders, JPMorgan Chase partners and representatives of collaborating area community colleges, community-based organizations and municipalities attended the event.

The Advocate Workforce Initiative provides basic skills training, occupational certifications and/or apprenticeships aligned with participants’ career interests. At the end of the program, every interested graduate receives a job interview at Advocate Health Care or another Chicagoland healthcare provider. Today, nearly 350 program graduates are employed as certified nurse assistants, radiology technicians, sterile processing technicians, phlebotomists, emergency room technicians, nurses and other roles at health facilities. In addition, graduates hired at an Advocate facility are offered additional support in advancing their career through an internal program – called NAVIGATE – which provides essential skills courses, mentoring and coaching.

With construction underway for Advocate South Suburban’s new Surgical Procedural Center at 17800 Kedzie Ave., in Hazel Crest, Ill., Advocate Health Care leaders believe an expanded footprint will mean greater access to top-quality health care and ultimately more jobs in the Southland.

“Bringing the Advocate Workforce Initiative to Chicago’s Southland is more than an investment into our team members. It’s an investment into your families and communities as well,” said Advocate South Suburban Hospital President Rashard Johnson. “As we innovate health care and build projects like the surgical procedural center, we are also building the need for skillsets to make these types of initiatives reach fruition.”

In addition to Advocate South Suburban, the AWI program is available at Advocate Trinity Hospital (Southeast Chicago), Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (North Side Chicago) and Advocate Christ Medical Center, (Oaklawn). For more information about the Advocate Workforce Initiative, visit AWI’s website.