ALLENTOWN, Pa. — New training for healthcare jobs and English language courses will be available this fall in the Lehigh Valley.
St. Luke’s University Health Network and the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley have partnered to create the Cultural & Linguistic Workforce Development Centers.
- The new program offers training for healthcare jobs and English language courses this fall
- St. Luke’s and the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley partnered to create the Cultural & Linguistic Workforce Development Centers
- Made possible by a $450,000 grant
Through the venture, the centers will offer English classes, General Education Development, or GED, and healthcare training for careers such as phlebotomists, nurse’s aides, dental assistants, emergency medical technicians, community health workers, EKG technicians and pharmacy technicians.
“This program is important to St. Luke’s because it will develop a pipeline of qualified, bilingual healthcare workers."St. Luke’s Community Health Vice President Dr. Rajika Reed
“The Workforce Development Centers are providing the Lehigh Valley community the opportunity to train for high-priority skilled occupations in healthcare while learning employability skills and developing a career ladder for professional growth," Hispanic Center Executive Director Victoria Montero said.
The programs were made possible by a $450,000 grant from the State Department of Community and Economic Development.
'Pipeline of qualified, bilingual workers'
People can start enrolling in the fall for the program, which also will include bilingual Workforce Development Coordinators as an employment resource.
“This program is important to St. Luke’s because it will develop a pipeline of qualified, bilingual healthcare workers,” St. Luke’s Community Health Vice President Dr. Rajika Reed said.
"These efforts will also market the region to diverse, motivated individuals looking to relocate as they know there are established trainings and employment opportunities.”
The Cultural & Linguistic Workforce Development Centers will operate out of the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem and St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Campus in Allentown.
They'll offer classes there, while other training will be at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and The Literacy Center.
"Participants can get educated quickly and be qualified for jobs that are not only important to the health of the community, but also rewarding."Lauren Loeffler, Workforce Development/Community Education & Dean, Northampton Community College
“The programs are 12 to 20 weeks, so participants can get educated quickly and be qualified for jobs that are not only important to the health of the community but also rewarding,” said Lauren Loeffler, Northampton Community College dean and workforce development/community education coordinator.
Those interested in the language or job training courses must qualify and there is a small fee associated with enrollment.
For more information, call the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley or St. Luke’s Sacred Heart campus.
