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The SOS Local Education Program was formed in 2021 and is rapidly growing to become an important part of our state's workforce development pipeline. The program transforms surplus supplies and equipment into engaging, hands-on learning tools for over 19,000 Kentucky healthcare career pathway high school and post secondary students annually. "Our supplies spark engagement, build confidence and enhance perfect that connect students in very real ways to the healthcare careers that have been identified as high priority by the governor's office," says Education Manager Chanda Fowler.
In 2024, the program achieved the following milestones:
● 16,282 Kentucky high school students received hands-on, skills-based training in healthcare career pathway programs that lead to state certifications, medical assistant jobs or post-secondary healthcare education.
● 6,274 post-secondary students were supported with critical tools and simulation lab equipment.
● $577,402 in supplies were provided to statewide high schools and colleges.
● 12 (out of 12) health science industry certifications designated as “high demand” by the Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (KWIB) were supported by SOS supplies.
Our Education program began as a pilot in Jefferson County and has been increasingly called upon by schools throughout the state who seek SOS support of their students training. The Kentucky Hospital Association sounded the alarm in its most recent workforce report: Twelve percent of positions in Kentucky hospitals are vacant– four thousand of those are nursing positions. A high turnover rate of 21% and an aging healthcare workforce points to a looming healthcare crisis. With our steady supply of resources and our network of over 100 education partners, SOS provides an innovative and inclusive solution to our state's healthcare workforce needs that will close longstanding gaps in the medical field and build a diverse pipeline of highly-skilled healthcare workers that will benefit all who live in the Commonwealth.
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