The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) and the Governor's Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to implement the Maryland Healthcare Workforce Initiative, an innovative new program aimed at solving critical shortages in Maryland's healthcare workforce. This grant is part of the U.S. Department of Labor's $24.4 million High Growth Job Training Initiative in Healthcare.

Teach for the Health of It (Word document, 39KB) / Incumbent Worker Training (Word document, 81KB, download Word viewer for free)

The Maryland Healthcare Workforce Initiative combines scholarships and incumbent worker training programs to address the State's healthcare workforce shortage. The scholarship program, entitled Teach for the Health of It, provides $800,000 in scholarship funding to assist in addressing the shortage of qualified nurse faculty within postsecondary education. Currently, capacity in nursing programs is limited due to the lack of qualified faculty. Teach for the Health of It provides scholarships: (1) to assist interested and qualified Registered Nurses obtain teaching credentials and teach in Maryland nursing programs and (2) to provide scholarships to help nursing students complete their education. The Teach for the Health of It program targets partnerships between at least one healthcare provider institution and at least one educational institution.

The remaining funding, $700,000, will be made available to employers to assist in upgrading the skills of currently employees within the healthcare industry. Unlike Teach for the Health of It, the funding for Incumbent Worker Training is focused on industry specific skills-based training, which results in the acquisition of transferable skills or an industry-recognized certification or credential. This program will lead to potential career growth and increased wages for the employee. Employers are required to provide matching funds for the upgrade training activities. Training opportunities within nursing and allied health fields are eligible for funding.

Contact Information

The Maryland Healthcare Initiative will be launched at the end of August 2004. Applications can be submitted beginning September 15, 2004. Questions and concerns should be addressed to:

Sharon Harris
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Workforce Development
1100 North Eutaw Street, Room 616, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
Phone: 410-767-2999, Fax: 410-333-5355
Email: hci@dllr.state.md.us