Klamath Falls, OR – May 3, 2024 – At the 2024 Annual Oregon Association of Career Technical Education (ACTE) Conference in April, Sky Lakes was highlighted for its unique approach to integrating students into the healthcare workforce and their partnership with Klamath County School District’s Adam Randall, who was awarded Oregon ACTE Administrator of the Year.
Sky Lakes is becoming a leader in healthcare education and workforce development with its Earn and Learn Programs designed for high school students built in partnership between Sky Lakes, Klamath County School district, Klamath Falls City Schools, and Klamath Community College.
The Earn and Learn programs at Sky Lakes are reshaping traditional learning pathways by providing high school students with valuable hands-on experience while also earning a wage for their time. Departments across Sky Lakes collaborate to modify job duties, provide on-the-job training, and mentor future employees.
Sky Lakes Professional Development Specialist and RN Jessica Gross said, “Our goal is to provide each student with the support and experience necessary for them to build the skills and confidence needed to excel in their chosen careers.”
Sky Lakes’ 10-week Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program was the first of the Earn and Learn programs. Its success served as a foundation for developing new programs in other healthcare fields. Recently, Sky Lakes was able to fill all their open CNA positions with recent program graduates.
The Unit Ambassador Program, launched in June 2023, exposes students to vital non-clinical roles within the medical center, with many program graduates staying on as employees while continuing their education.
Sky Lakes is expanding its Earn and Learn Programs to include the Clinic Ambassador Program beginning in June 2024. This program will provide Medical Assistant training towards careers in primary care clinics.
The Surgical Ambassador Program, set to launch this fall, will serve as a pre-apprenticeship to KCC’s Surgical Tech Program.
Superintendent at Klamath County School District, Glen Szymoniak said “Working with our community partners to provide our students with hands on learning in the workforce is essential. We are grateful for Sky Lakes’ investment in Earn and Learn programs that gives our students opportunities to start their careers during and directly after high school.”
Training and Development director Cynthia Neubauer shared “Career training programs set students up for success early on. Sky Lakes is empowering students to see a future that is attainable.”
In addition to job training, the Earn and Learn programs allow students to start contributing to a 401(k) plan and Sky Lakes offers tuition coverage or reimbursement for many of these programs to ensure students can start their careers with no student debt.
Health Occupations & More Video available:
https://youtu.be/gkn5CGjXW20?si=Py7h1LhhxndL0LCJ
