Mott Community College (MCC) has a long-standing partnership with Vicinia Gardens of Fenton, Michigan, since its inception back in 2012. MCC has provided talent (resident assistants) for this privately-owned senior living community within their assisted living, memory care and intermediate care facilities. Most recently, the college worked effortlessly to develop a certified nurse assistan (CNA) apprenticeship program registered through the Department of Labor with the support of the Expanding Community College Apprenticeships (ECCA) through the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) initiative. This new pathway enables students to work while completing the required classroom and clinical studies.
Through our partnership with the local Workforce Development Agency, MCC was able to identify funding by way of Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) to leverage the cost for the first six employees who were identified and selected to be “journey workers” for the apprentices that would follow. The leveraged funds were offered to the employer via a reimbursement program at 75% of the training cost. Had it not been for this funding, Vicinia employees would have had to pay some out-of-pocket costs for the CNA training which would have created barriers for some of these students.
MCC assisted Vicinia Gardens to receive funding through GST Michigan Works that provided Incumbent Worker Training funds, allowing Vicinia Gardens and MCC to register the apprenticeship program with the U.S. Department of Labor. MCC will support the apprentices through the AACC ECCA grant by purchasing needed uniforms and equipment as well as other supportive services. MCC will provide pre-employment training to prepare the students for successful completion of the program and career skills preparation. Students will leave the program equipped with the skills necessary to be successful in the healthcare field.
The CNA program was developed in collaboration with all these partners with Mott Community College to create a career pathway for individuals who are interested in health care careers but might not have the resources to pursue a CNA license.
“We are proud of the marque level of care and service that we provide to our residents, and this program allows us to invest in our employees so that they can continue to offer the highest level of patient care,” said Kelly Steffey, RN, BS, CDCM, CALD.
“I’ve worked at Vicinia Gardens for almost a year and a half. I absolutely love working at Vicinia Gardens. It is a great environment and it is very welcoming! My residents are by far my favorite thing about my job. You create bonds with them that is nothing like you have experienced before. Our management team is outstanding and always there when needed. After hearing about the CNA training opportunity, I was thrilled. I have been wanting to take the CNA course for a while now but working around my schedule can be difficult. With Vicinia Gardens providing this opportunity, it will be a lot easier to work about my schedule and I can finally get the training I have been wanting. I cannot wait for this amazing opportunity!” said Rebeckah Walter, an employee at the intermediate care facility, who will now be working as a Journeyperson, training upcoming apprentices.