Emerge Education receives grant to grow health care workforce

Mechanicsburg-based Emerge Education, a health care workforce development company, has been awarded a $251,922.49 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry‘s “Creating Nursing Pathways in Pennsylvania through Apprenticeships” initiative. 

The funding will enable Emerge to expand its Workforce Navigator and Emerge Prepared programs, it said. 

Through its Workforce Navigator program, Emerge said the grant will further enable it to expand its services to health care organizations seeking to upskill their existing staff and address critical staffing shortages.  

The grant will also be used for its Emerge Prepared program to prepare high school students for healthcare careers whether they intend to work full-time after graduation or pursue a college degree.  

Emerge Prepared equips high school students with the essential skills and industry-recognized certifications needed to launch careers in health care, Emerge said.  

“This grant is a powerful endorsement of our unwavering commitment to building a brighter future for Pennsylvania’s health care workforce, both by creating new opportunities for the emerging workforce and by supporting organizations in upskilling their staff,” said Lauren Holubec, vice president of Workforce and Business Development at Emerge Education. “It’s not just about filling open positions, it’s about cultivating a pipeline of passionate, skilled health care professionals who are ready to revolutionize Pennsylvania’s healthcare landscape.” 

With a deficit of over 277,771 healthcare workers projected by 2026, Emerge said the need for action is paramount. 

“Emerge Education’s commitment to the improvement of the health care workforce is truly commendable,” said Tara Loew, director, Apprenticeship and Training Office at Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “This grant will help them expand their reach and equip more Pennsylvanians with the skills and experience we need at such a crucial time of healthcare rebuilding.” 

Jim Hunter, CEO of Emerge Education, said “This grant is a critical turning point for Pennsylvania’s health care future. It’s an investment that will ripple outwards, strengthening the very core of our state’s health care system.” 

 By empowering local communities, cultivating talent, and developing innovative solutions, Hunter said the company will not only address Pennsylvania’s own workforce challenges but also inspire and empower other organizations looking to improve their health care workforce.