Anoka County FastTRAC Health Care Pathway Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Anoka County’s FastTRAC Health Care Pathways is an innovative training strategy for low-income, low-skill level adults to successfully enter into a health care career pathway and obtain a recognized industry credential and college credits, allowing them to advance over time to higher levels of education and employment in the health care field. This innovative strategy integrates basic skills education, health care specific training, and support services to the adult learner. Program participants train in a cohort to become Certified Nursing Assistants and earn 7 college credits. The program consists of 100 hours of Adult Basic Education (ABE) preparatory class to teach low level learners to be successful in college; integrated classes combining ABE and college instruction; ongoing support and job search assistance provided by a WorkForce Center navigator; and direct contact with employer partners. The Anoka County model is a collaborative effort of a local partnership between Metro North Adult Basic Education, Anoka Ramsey Community College, Anoka Technical College, The Anoka County Job Training Center, The Anoka County Workforce Council and several local employers. Since its inception in 2011 and completion of 8 training cohorts: 87% of graduates obtained a credential; 82% exited the program to employment, with 79% working in the health care field.