Kaiser Commits $130 Million to Train 10,000 for Medical Jobs

Kaiser Permanente and its labor partner are teaming up to create Futuro Health, a $130 million nonprofit to address California’s healthcare worker shortage.

The partnership stems from the four-year contract reached last October between the healthcare provider and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West. The idea is to improve community health and prosperity by investing in allied health education and skills training.

Futuro Health is open to all residents in California. Fresno area residents who are interested in healthcare careers can visit FuturoHealth.org for more information.

“Futuro Health represents a new model for tackling the workforce shortage and training workers especially when they no longer stay with one employer for long,” said Dave Regan, president of SEIU-UHW. “Ensuring that all people have access to high-quality, affordable health care and a living wage is a priority of SEIU-UHW.”

Goal Is 10,000 New Licensed Healthcare Workers

Futuro Health aims to graduate 10,000 new licensed, credentialed allied healthcare workers in California over the next four years. Futuro Health will begin its work in California to provide an affordable education-to-work solution but plans to expand the model to other states.

Allied healthcare services are provided by a wide range of clinical, administrative and support professionals. They include licensed vocational nurses, medical coders, health information technicians, radiology technicians, and lab workers.

High Demand Expected for Allied Healthcare Services

By 2030, California’s population is expected to be 44.1 million. Meanwhile, the number of adults 65 and older will nearly double from 5 million in 2014 to 8.6 million. The allied health sector will be in high demand to support these demographic shifts.

“Futuro Health will give healthcare workers the opportunity to increase their skills and grow their careers,” said KP executive Arlene Peasnall. “In addition to attracting new talent to the health care industry, it will help existing workers advance in well-paying, fulfilling careers.”

Van Ton-Quinlivan Will Lead Futuro Health

Van Ton-Quinlivan will serve as Futuro Health’s chief executive officer.

“Our work is to create access to opportunity and lower the barriers that many individuals face when it comes to social mobility,” Ton-Quinlivan said. “This will also ensure more equitable access to good patient care across our country, state, and communities.”