How can employers, educators and workforce organizations work together to meet Wisconsin's growing demand for health care workers?
That question brought more than 120 health care leaders, educators, workforce professionals and community partners to Madison College for the Health Care, Workforce Education & Apprenticeship Summit on June 10, to discuss workforce challenges, education pathways and apprenticeship opportunities across south central Wisconsin.
The summit was hosted at the college’s Truax campus in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW), BioForward and other regional partners.
“Across our region and across the country, health care providers are navigating significant workforce challenges—talent shortages, growing demand and rapidly changing skill needs,” said Madison College President Dr. Jennifer Berne. “We have a shared commitment to solutions and the partnerships to make them real. Together we can build pathways that are inclusive and sustainable, connecting high schools, colleges, workforce partners and industry to meet the needs of our communities.”
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“The summit was an opportunity to bring industry, education, and workforce development partners to the same table because none of us can address health care workforce shortages alone,” Seth Lentz, WDBSCW Executive Director. “But together, the whole region benefits. Job seekers get meaningful careers, employers get the talent they need, and our communities get stronger. From apprenticeship to innovative training models, diversifying how we develop talent is at the heart of this work — and it's the work we are committed to advancing.”
Forward momentum
Among the strategies highlighted at the summit were apprenticeship programs developed through Madison College and UW Health's nationally recognized partnership.
The collaboration launched the nation's first Registered Nurse Registered Apprenticeship in 2023, followed by the nation's first Respiratory Therapist Registered Apprenticeship.
Last year, Madison College and UW Health, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, launched the Surgical Technology Associate Degree Registered Apprenticeship.
"These apprenticeship programs showcase the power of partnership in addressing Wisconsin's health care workforce needs,” said Marissa Winer, dean of Madison College Health Sciences. “By combining academic preparation with paid, hands-on training, we are creating meaningful pathways into critical patient care and clinical support professions while helping employers build and sustain a skilled workforce.”
Biohealth Tech Hub
Summit attendees also received an update on the Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub, a nationally designated regional innovation hub backed by $49 million in federal funding and $7.5 million in state support.
Through the Biohealth Tech Hub's ABC Pathways initiative, Madison College is leading a regional effort to expand training and credentialing opportunities in biohealth imaging technology operation and maintenance.
