In response to persistent national workforce shortages, University of Vermont Health's Center for Workforce Development continues to pioneer innovative programs that train local community members and members of its own workforce for in-demand health care positions. This includes in-house training programs and external partnerships with colleges, both here in Vermont and nationally.

Several programs, supported in part by philanthropy, enable current employees to earn wages and benefits while pursuing advanced studies to further their career—often with full tuition support or limited out-of-pocket costs. This approach provides much-needed flexibility for nontraditional learners, effectively removing the barriers individuals often face when trying to balance life, work and continuing education.

In 2025, the center plans to harmonize and scale its efforts across Vermont and northern New York, with the goal of reaching as many individuals as possible. A focus will be on preparing more frontline employees for advanced education programs, often by assisting with prerequisite courses at community colleges.

"I have a passion for helping patients and their families. I am from China and was an RN there for almost ten years," said Xiaoyan Zeng, a medical assistant II at UVM Medical Center Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, and participant in the philanthropy-supported LPN Pathway Program. "After I moved to the U.S., I couldn’t use my medical background, but I told myself ‘I will be a nurse in the U.S. someday.’ Lots of obstacles came down on me. The biggest were my language and my financial situation. I was struggling, thinking I had to quit my medical assistant job to go to nursing school full time. (I love my job and orthopedics, it is my family.) One day, I was reading news from the hospital and found the Pathway Program. I don’t have words to describe how excited I was. The program has solved my problems, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to pursue my nursing dream.”

The center also plans to diversify its Pathway Program to address growing needs and a wider range of health care roles. Partnerships in the community, including those with schools, colleges and community-based organizations will expand, and a special focus will be placed on harnessing the talents of historically marginalized communities, refugees/immigrants/asylees, youth and individuals with disabilities. This approach will support a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities served by our health system.

“When you take a step back and look at the health care field, you see high barriers to entry,” said Jerry Baake, UVM Health director of workforce development. “The work requires degrees, licensure and certification—all of which are costly and time consuming. We know that careers in health care are rewarding and can be family-sustaining, and we want to do everything possible to connect talent and desire with opportunity. Gifts from our community are helping us turn that vision into reality.”