Idaho Community Health Centers Association addresses industry needs with apprenticeship training

Paying for staff training can be a hurdle for health clinics aiming to find and retain talent. Idaho Community Health Centers Association (ICHCA) is helping bridge that gap by sponsoring apprenticeship training and helping with funding coordination, specifically for dental assistants and community health workers. Doing so will, ideally, help clinics demonstrate to potential employees that they are invested in them, and this could help them build stronger, longer-lasting careers that give them the opportunity to move up the ladder.

The sponsorships specifically help clinics with heavy administrative responsibilities that can come with apprenticeship management. According to a post via the Idaho Department of Labor, the Apprenticeship Idaho program is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of Employment and Training Administration grants totaling over $10 million. 

Dental Assistant (DA) Apprenticeship Program
This program offers online and in-person training in partnership with North Idaho College (NIC) and the Idaho Department of Labor. It started in January 2022 with one apprentice and now includes 12 people across the state. It offers courses on the fundamentals of dental assisting as well as hands-on labs. Apprentices that complete the program earn a national certification through the Department of Labor and can take that wherever they go. 

“This program has seen a lot of growth, both in interest and in how the program is run, and (it) wouldn’t be possible without strong partnerships,” said Robin Donovan, workforce development program manager at ICHCA. “North Idaho College, the Department of Labor and Idaho’s community health centers (CHCs) have all greatly contributed to the success of this new program. We are continuously learning how best to support apprentices, the clinics and each other. NIC has a strong DA program and wonderful reputation among our northern CHCs. This is what prompted ICHCA to reach out to them when we heard that a DA apprenticeship was needed. Not only did they agree to partner, but they also made their in-person class accessible online so that geographic location wouldn’t be a barrier. The Department of Labor added the DA apprenticeship to the Launch website, which covers 90% of the program’s tuition cost, greatly reducing financial barriers.” 

Community Health Worker (CHW) Training

The field of community health is anticipated to grow in Idaho, ultimately serving as a bridge between traditionally underserved populations and necessary health information, care and social services. The CHW Apprentice Training Course will provide a registered apprentice with an employer. To complete the apprenticeship, 2,000 hours are required, working alongside a certified CHW supervisor to meet competencies. It’s preferred that program participants successfully complete the Idaho State University CHW Training Academy Core and advanced courses before they are placed in the apprenticeship.  

In the fall of 2022, 16 people completed the core course, and currently, there are six additional students in the training. Several more are enrolled in the upcoming core and advanced courses, and mini learning collaboratives are hosted quarterly.  

Sarah Hibbert Johnson, program manager for Idaho State University CHW Training Academy, said, “Currently the Idaho State University CHW Training Academy is growing and expanding. The instructors we train are recruited as trusted individuals within rural and underserved areas in Idaho. In January 2023, we completed an intensive instructor training with 21 new instructors, of which most already serve refugee, rural, Native or Spanish-speaking populations in their current positions in public health or as Community Health Workers.”

“The instructors are also from various locations throughout the state, and the training is designed to be accessible through online learning that can occur in rural communities,” she continued. “Training this many new instructors allows us to more rapidly upscale to offer more training as the word spreads, and as we engage with partners. We are actively partnership-building through promoting CHW cross-training with pharmacy technician, dental assistant, EMS and other programs that already exist in Idaho. These partnerships supplement recruitment efforts to train new CHWs and increase the reach of our program offerings.” 

In the end, the goal is to create a stronger, more robust workforce and economy for Idaho. Other states are taking note, too. For example, the National Network for Oral Health Access invited ICHCA to present on the DA apprenticeship. ICHCA has also been contacted by clinics and regional partners across the country to help them better understand how to start and develop apprenticeship programs. 

“Idaho has recognized apprenticeships as being an important part in developing the workforce across the state,” Donovan said. “We hope to continue to tap into resources the state provides to develop a competent, engaged and motivated workforce.”