At a time when rural Vermont is grappling with a shrinking healthcare workforce and a growing demand for care, Step Up to Health Careers is more than a program – it’s a movement. Spearheaded by Northern Vermont AHEC in collaboration with NEK Learning Services, Step Up is designed to do exactly what its name promises: help local job seekers take the next step toward stable, fulfilling careers in healthcare.
In March 2025, Northern Vermont AHEC convened two stakeholder meetings – first in St. Johnsbury, then in Newport – to ensure that this new initiative reflects not just institutional goals but real community needs. The rooms were full: hospital leaders, adult education providers, workforce development professionals, and economic leaders all came together to chart a better path forward.
Why the urgency? Because the data – and the lived experience of rural healthcare employers – paints a clear picture.
The Case for Step Up: What the Needs Assessment Told Us
The Entry-Level Workforce Needs Assessment, conducted in tandem with these stakeholder meetings, offers a candid look at the challenges healthcare employers face. Interviews with HR leaders across Northern Vermont revealed a consistent theme: entry-level candidates are eager, but many lack critical employability and workplace readiness skills.
What’s missing isn’t just technical knowledge – it’s things like dependability, communication, writing, and prior exposure to healthcare environments. Employers emphasized that these “soft” skills are make-or-break for new hires. They also highlighted the need for basic competencies like resume writing, professional email etiquette, and understanding workplace expectations – especially for individuals with disabilities or those new to the job market.
This is where Step Up fits in. It bridges the gap between potential and preparation.
What the Community Said: Stakeholder Insights on Training and Opportunity
During the stakeholder meetings, small group discussions and hands-on activities helped surface the most urgent priorities and best ideas for shaping the program. Here’s what rose to the top:
1. Professional Foundations Matter
Participants agreed that employability skills – like punctuality, interpersonal communication, and professional conduct – must be central to Step Up’s curriculum. These “invisible expectations” can be barriers to employment if left unspoken.
2. Healthcare Needs More Than Just Clinicians
High-demand entry-level roles include environmental services technicians, EMTs, medical secretaries, mental health techs, and pharmacy techs. Stakeholders stressed that with the right support, these positions can serve as powerful onramps to long-term healthcare careers.
3. Hands-On Learning Builds Confidence
Whether it’s job shadowing, mock interviews, or workplace tours, stakeholders emphasized that experiential learning is essential for Step Up participants. Real-world exposure helps participants envision themselves in these roles – and builds confidence to pursue them.
4. Barrier Reduction is Workforce Development
It’s not just about what we teach, but how we support. From transportation and housing to childcare and digital access, stakeholders named a wide range of barriers that must be addressed to help participants thrive. Step Up is working to connect with partners who can help.
5. Career Pathways Must Be Clear
Employers and educators alike want to see career ladders made visible – what comes after EVS tech? Where does a phlebotomist go next? Mapping these journeys helps participants and hiring managers alike set expectations, support growth, and invest in the long game.
Step Up in Action: What’s Next?
The stakeholder meetings laid the foundation for a program that is deeply rooted in local context and shared goals. Step Up will provide a blend of:
- Employability training: time management, communication, problem-solving
- Academic refreshers: medical math, basic writing, digital literacy
- Workplace readiness: HIPAA, infection control, crisis response, de-escalation
- Career exploration: guest speakers, shadowing, mentorship, healthcare terminology
- Onboarding support: resumes, cover letters, immunization records, mock interviews
In short, Step Up to Health Careers prepares participants not just to get the job – but to keep it, grow in it, and find meaning in it.
Be a Part of the Solution
Northern Vermont AHEC believes that building a strong healthcare workforce takes all of us – schools, employers, families, and community members alike. Whether you’re a student exploring your future, a parent cheering from the sidelines, or a local business looking to make a difference, your support matters.
Here’s how you can help strengthen Vermont’s health workforce pipeline:
- Share this program with someone who might benefit from it
- Encourage local employers to consider hosting workplace experiences
- Celebrate and support individuals beginning healthcare training or careers
- Stay informed about local workforce initiatives and opportunities
- Follow Northern Vermont AHEC for updates and success stories
Together, we can make sure that every Vermonter not only has access to quality care – but also the opportunity to help provide it.
We envision a future where every community in our region has access to high-quality healthcare – and every Vermonter has a path to be part of that solution. Step Up to Health Careers is one step closer to making that vision a reality.
To learn more or get involved, contact us at contact@nvtahec.org or visit nvtahec.org.
