Healthcare Careers Program Launched at Hartford High School

Hartford Public High School this week launched a new healthcare careers pathway program designed to provide career opportunities in the sector for students. 

Sponsored by Hartford HealthCare, the allied health program will complement classroom instruction with work-based learning and a work readiness curriculum, expanding the workforce pipeline for high-demand healthcare careers.

CBIA affiliate ReadyCT, a long-time Hartford High partner, will provide staffing for work readiness instruction and coordinate work-based learning experiences for students.

CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima said the program highlights the broad opportunities and benefits of public-private partnerships.

“These partnerships with businesses like Hartford HealthCare and our schools create lifelong career opportunities for students and create a better prepared workforce,” he said.

Credentials

The program, which begins this fall, will help students achieve industry-recognized credentials and certification for positions such as nursing assistants and patient care technicians.

Earned credits will also offset the cost of higher education.

Hartford HealthCare president and CEO Jeff Flaks said the program “will help train, develop, and prepare more people to work in the front lines of healthcare.”

Let’s go! The collaboration among ReadyCT, @Hartford_Public @HartfordPublic_ & @HartfordHealthC is going to provide opportunity to students while addressing #workforce needs! #careerconnected #k12 #education #excellence https://t.co/8TbXuWBd6s

— ReadyCT (@readyCTED) July 22, 2021

“To me, this is the next level of innovation,” he said. “This type of accelerated education in allied health does more than allow students to participate in real-world experiences, it could change the entire trajectory of the lives of students.”

Flaks wants to see the program expand to public schools across the state.

‘Make Learning Relevant’

Hartford High principal Flora Padro said the program, expected to enroll 35 rising sophomores this fall, gives students the chance “to leave high school with a set of industry-recognized credentials as well as work-based learning experiences.”

“Those are real and tangible things that engage students,” she said. “They make learning relevant and help every student see their potential.”

Hartford High principal Flora Padro said the program gives students “a set of industry-recognized credentials.”

ReadyCT also manages the existing engineering and green technology pathway at Hartford High that is supported by Raytheon Technologies.

Both programs follow the NAF model, based on a structured learning community within a school where students follow a rigorous, career-themed curriculum informed by an industry advisory board.

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For more information, contact ReadyCT’s Gloria Ortiz-Rivera (860.833.8086).