Shelton State Community College to establish new health care academy
Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa will use a nearly $3 million grant to establish a new health care academy.
Through the academy, students will be able to take vocational and academic courses on the campuses of Bibb Medical Center in Centreville, Bibb County High School, Bibb County Career Academy and West Blocton High School.
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The students will have the opportunity to earn money by working at the medical center, with the goal of making them ready-for-hire in their chosen health care field after they complete their training.
“The $2.8 million in funds Shelton State has been awarded will go a long way to bridge the health-care gaps in our rural areas and provide much-needed training for our local high school students and community members who are setting their sights on the next phase of their lives,” Shelton State President Jonathan Koh said in a Monday news release.
The academy will help students identify health-care career options and provide tutoring, job coaching and placement services, among a range of other services. Child care and transportation needs will also be provided.
Classroom and virtual training will be paired with workforce scenarios, so that the lessons will be relevant to the health-care settings where the students seek employment, according to the news release.
“We are thrilled to have an opportunity like this where we can really build something that transforms career trajectories in our rural community,” said Joseph Marchant, Bibb Medical Center’s chief executive officer, according to the release.
The grant is being provided by the Alabama Community College through the state Legislature’s 2024 Alabama Centers for Rural Healthcare Opportunity appropriation. The appropriation is designed to create a workforce pipeline for Alabama’s health care industry.
In 2022, Shelton State and Bibb Medical Center created a partnership to increase the number of skilled nurses in West Alabama.
The partnership allowed Shelton State practical nursing students to attend classes at a newly renovated clinical space at Bibb Medical Center. They also received financial assistance to cover tuition, books, fees and other expenses. After receiving their diplomas, the graduates are required to fulfill a two-year commitment to work as practical nurses at Bibb Medical Center.
Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: New health care academy announced by Shelton State Community College
