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Southwestern Illinois Healthcare Sector Responds To Critical Skills Shortage Initiative

In the fall of 2003, Governor Rod Blagojevich launched the Critical Skills Shortage Initiative (CSSI), a vital component of the Governor’s Opportunity Returns program. The goal of the initiative was to align regional workforce programs to provide a reliable supply of qualified job seekers for critical skill shortage occupations. The healthcare sector was identified as having an immediate critical skill shortage in the southwest region.

Three workforce investment boards partnered in the initiative: the Madison-Bond Workforce Investment Board, the Mid American Workforce Investment Board and the West Central Job Center Board.

One component of the initiative is the Health Education Alliance (HEAL) Project, a collaborative effort involving the three Workforce Investment Boards, Lewis & Clark Community College, Southwestern Illinois College and a consortium of 21 healthcare employers. Since its inception, seven HEAL participants graduated from Southwestern Illinois College’s RN articulation program. They are now eligible to take their state licensure exams.

In addition to the HEAL project, another endeavor was launched to assist healthcare managers in the field. Twelve hospitals participated in the Basic and Effective Supervisory Training (BEST) Project. 640 managers and supervisors have participated in the BEST Program.

This development training is provided to healthcare managers by Lewis & Clark Community College’s Center for Workforce Training and Southwestern Illinois College’s Center for Training Innovations.

Due to the initial funding of the Critical Skills Shortage Initiative new healthcare professionals have been added to the region’s workforce while current healthcare managers have received valuable development training.