In response to the ongoing shortage of qualified certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in the long-term care industry, the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF) offer 1199SEIU members a Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program. The goal of the program, which seeks to build systems and capacities between TEF, the Union, contributing nursing homes and community partners, is to prepare workers for New York State certification and job placement. Participants have included home care workers, unemployed job seekers and referrals from community-based organizations. In March 2022, the program made 279 CNA job placements. New in-person programs began in September in Manhattan and the Bronx. For more information about future programs, contact Priscilla Polanco or Cynthia Beeks-Bonaventure at (844) TEF-1199. Current CNAs seeking healthcare employment opportunities should contact the TEF Employment Center at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Employment/.
In addition, TEF’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program is helping to address nursing shortages. Over the last three years, more than 60 members have taken part in the CNA RA Program, which has a 92 percent retention rate. Seventeen members who were in the licensed practical nurse (LPN) RA program are currently working as LPNs, and 10 LPN RAs in upstate New York will graduate in December. For more information about the RA program, contact Rebecca Hall at Rebecca.Hall@1199Funds.org.
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