The University of Florida’s Office of Professional and Workforce Development (UF OPWD) is proud to announce the Community Health Worker (CHW) Registered Apprenticeship Program has been approved to participate in the State of Florida’s Apprenticeship System. Elder Options and UF Health Jacksonville: Urban Health Alliance have signed on as the first employer partners for the program.
The CHW Registered Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide the education and job training needed to be a successful Community Health Worker, while preparing apprentices to become a Certified Community Health Worker in Florida. Through mentorship and technical instruction, job seekers receive on-the-job training to learn necessary skills while earning a paycheck.
Learners will gain knowledge and build competencies in these subject areas:
- Community Health Worker Foundations
- TeleHealth
- Psychological First Aid (PFA)
- Medicaid Basics
- Essential Skills for Workplace Success
The CHW Apprenticeship Program was developed through the Pathways for Career Opportunities Grant (PCOG) Program which was awarded to UF OPWD on November 22, 2022. The PCOG Program is meant to support new or expand existing registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs.
Workforce education is a top priority for Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education with the goal of being number one in the nation by 2030. Apprenticeships are a proven training method benefitting both job seekers and businesses. They are gaining momentum as a cost-effective alternative or addition to a college track. The flexibility for an employer to design an apprenticeship program offers a consistent way to recruit, train and retain talent that can be easily blended into current talent development strategies.
Community health workers (CHWs) are frontline health workers who have a close understanding of the community they serve. CHW’s frequently serve as a liaison between health/social services and the community to coordinate healthcare, government, and social service systems. These dedicated professionals strive to provide help to individuals throughout a community through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
Questions? Contact our Apprenticeship Coordinator, Chuck Parker, for more details on the event and the University of Florida’s Community Health Worker Registered Apprenticeship Program.
352-294-3887 | parker.c@ufl.edu