Stories of Impact

The Centers

Beyond Healthcare Connect: Bridging the Gap to Entry-Level Careers in Healthcare

The Centers El Barrio Workforce Development Center Focuses on Training for In-Demand Health Sector Jobs

During and post the Covid pandemic, as local community health centers and hospitals grappled with a growing shortage of staff for non-medical and frontline positions, the significant gap in entry-level workforce training opportunities and its impact on access to care delivery became increasingly evident. With a limited pool of qualified workers, the provision and delivery of healthcare services were at risk. Recognizing this unmet need was a pain point among Three Arches Foundation’s partners, The Centers took the lead in a collaborative initiative, leveraging its training framework to guide the effort alongside Cleveland Clinic, Neighborhood Family Practice and Recovery Resources. The proposed solution was to assess opportunities and barriers, conduct research, and explore development of a customized curriculum of basic skills and hands-on training to help improve recruitment and retention. The goal sought to link individuals with previously overlooked or inaccessible entry-level, non-licensed healthcare career pathways, simultaneously bolstering employment opportunities within the local Cleveland community.

Philanthropic funding from Three Arches Foundation supported The Centers in launching and leading a dual-phase pilot project. With MetroHealth and University Hospitals joining the four other partners, this initial alliance and engagement brought together unique perspectives, multi-dimensional input, and shared best practices that advanced the process from the outset. This collective expertise informed a thorough assessment and eventual design of a new healthcare workforce training program, enabling more inclusive pathways to entry and facilitating a quicker rollout. “Three Arches Foundation’s endorsement and investment  provided us with time and resources necessary to ensure process efficiency and effectiveness, which laid the groundwork for the initial model and subsequent implementation of the pilot program,” comments Eric Morse, president and CEO, The Centers. “What began as insight from multiple sources transformed into meaningful action, fueled through mutual understanding of how a healthcare career pipeline would benefit the communities we serve.”

The culmination of this effort led to creation of the Beyond Healthcare Connect program, one of multiple career training tracks offered through The Centers El Barrio Workforce Development Center. The program opens doors to prospective, diverse, and underrepresented individuals who often face barriers to entry in the healthcare sector workforce by offering accessible, bilingual, free of charge job training both virtual or in person, as well as industry certifications and job placement services. “Research from the initial pilot revealed that fostering confidence and a sense of accomplishment were essential to motivating individuals to pursue training and secure employment in healthcare because many struggled in seeing a clear path to success.” shares Melissa Russoniello, Vice President of El Barrio and Workforce at The Centers. “With its supportive and flexible approach, the program provides a foot-in-the-door to the healthcare sector for those who might otherwise face barriers to entering the workforce.” Understanding participants balance family responsibilities and other obligations, often related to limited childcare options, transportation challenges, or other logistical hurdles, most program sessions are completed in four-to-eight weeks making it a feasible option for those unable to commit to long-term educational programs. Lack of a high school diploma was similarly identified as a key barrier to keeping individuals from exploring careers in healthcare and other fields. Acknowledging the significance of this challenge, the program includes a version whereby participants can work on their high school diplomas (GEDs) and required job training certifications through an integrated format. By seamlessly interweaving these learning components, students can maintain focus to stay on task, avoid feeling overwhelmed, and make steady progress toward their goals, successfully reaching both milestones within a unified environment.

Participants in Beyond Healthcare Connect benefit from a training model centered on building and integrating foundational, functional, and developmental competencies that facilitate their ability to assist healthcare teams. Exposure to a variety of patient-facing and non-patient-facing roles such as medical assistant, phlebotomist, medical billing, EKG/cardiac monitor technician, and patient support specialist (navigators), allows for a more informed career path decision. Training includes practical, hands-on experience and opportunities to shadow healthcare professionals in various settings, giving participants a firsthand understanding of workplace basics, industry fundamentals, and technical skills needed for success and long-term growth. With this knowledge and preparedness, participants are aware of expectations and equipped to transition into an entry-level healthcare career. The Centers relationships with Federally Qualified Health Centers, community-based healthcare systems, and centralized hospital systems help bridge participants to potential employment opportunities – often arising from a training space shadow experience. A recent advancement to its evolving curriculum, Beyond Healthcare Connect was officially recognized by the State of Ohio as a pre-apprenticeship track.

All program tracks offered through the El Barrio Workforce Development Center are designed to help reduce obstacles with short-term training programs, practical hands-on experience, and a network of partners that hire program graduates. Wraparound support ensures participants have everything they need to feel confident for job readiness and success including resume building and mock interviews, to availability of professional clothing and personal care items offered at no cost through the in-house Basic Needs Resource Center. And when it comes to accommodating clients’ immediate needs, The Centers tries its best to deliver. “One of our program participants faced a 20-minute gap between getting off the bus and walking to his job. To make the commute easier, he asked for assistance with transportation – his preferred method being a bike, which was gladly obtained on his behalf,” shares Russoniello. “Knowing transportation challenges often prevent people from accepting and keeping jobs, we wanted to help reduce potential obstacles.”

The healthcare industry remains the largest employment sector in the U.S., comprised of over 17 million people working across distinct fields and with varying levels of education and skilled training. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, entry-level workers make up a significant portion of the overall healthcare workforce and are considered one of the largest and fastest growing groups in the country, playing a vital role in job creation and economic growth, particularly in low-income communities. However, despite the growing demand for these roles, systemic barriers continue to hinder employees’ ability to pursue and/or maintain their positions. While Beyond Healthcare Connect successfully established a strong framework for workforce training, challenges related to transportation limitations, childcare constraints, and inflexible workplace policies persist. Russoniello adds, “The reality is that the current healthcare system is not designed to fully support entry-level workers in overcoming these obstacles, but recognizing these gaps is a crucial step toward addressing broader structural issues and creating sustainable, long-term employment opportunities.”

The El Barrio Workforce Development Center is committed to supporting individuals as they pursue purposeful, competitive employment—no matter where their journey begins. With a deep understanding of the community served, Russoniello and her team continually apply learnings in their pursuit of identifying and developing new tracks and innovative training solutions to meet the evolving needs of today’s diverse workforce. In doing so, The Centers not only equips individuals with valuable skills, but also fosters a sense of accomplishment and confidence, empowering them to thrive. This collaborative, forward-thinking approach is strengthening the career pipeline, benefiting individuals, communities, and employers alike, and paving the way for a more resilient and adaptive healthcare workforce across Greater Cleveland.

To learn more about The Centers El Barrio Workforce Development Center, including short-term trainings, specialized industry certifications, and job placement services, visit thecentersohio.org/workforce-development/.

 Photos courtesy of The Centers

Published June 2025