In the continuing effort to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the senior living sector, Argentum, in partnership with Management and Training Corporation (MTC), has set a goal to place 200+ graduates into the senior living workforce by the end of 2024. This ambitious initiative highlights the importance of workforce development and strategic partnerships in meeting the needs of an aging population.
Convening Leadership to Drive Workforce Development
On June 6th, MTC took a significant step toward achieving this goal by convening eight of their center director staff from various locations, including California. This gathering served as a strategic planning session to continue alignment of MTC’s training centers with the needs of the senior living industry. By acting as direct intermediaries between Argentum and their center directors, MTC aims to facilitate faster and more efficient student-to-employer placements.
During the meeting, the center directors emphasized the importance of localized job placement, noting that 90% of their graduates in California seek employment opportunities in major metropolitan areas such as San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and the surrounding regions while some may look to move to other major cities across the country.
Streamlining the Placement Process with Direct Workforce Services
To further streamline the placement process, MTC is collaborating with Argentum’s Direct Workforce Service (DWS) project by ensuring all their student candidates are registered in their local American Job Centers, a major step in increasing the speed of student-to-employment hiring. This integration simplifies the job placement process, providing graduates with a clear pathway to employment and ensuring that senior living employers have access to a well-prepared talent pool.
“DWS’s involvement is a game-changer,” said Dan Passarella, Direct Workforce Services Liaison. “By registering students with local American Job Centers, we are not only streamlining the process but also providing them with additional resources and support that will enhance their job prospects and career growth.”
DWS’s involvement is particularly noteworthy as it operates in ten states and has recently expanded its program to include Florida, Texas, and California. This expansion reflects the growing recognition of the need for a coordinated approach to workforce development in the senior living sector. By leveraging the resources and expertise of DWS, MTC is well-positioned to meet its placement goals and support the broader objectives of the senior living industry.
MTC and Job Corps have highlighted that they have hundreds of graduates annually, many of whom are well-suited for careers in senior living. By aligning their training programs with the needs of the industry, MTC is creating a pipeline of talent that can help to address current and future workforce shortages.
“We recognize the vital role that well-trained professionals play in ensuring quality care for our seniors,” said Ashante Abubakar, Vice President, Workforce Development at Argentum. “This partnership with MTC and Argentum allows us to better serve our owner and operator members by streamlining the process of workforce placement, ultimately enhancing the quality of care in our communities.”
The Role of Strategic Partnerships in Workforce Development
The collaboration between MTC, Argentum, and DWS is a prime example of how strategic partnerships can drive workforce development. By working together, these organizations are able to leverage their respective strengths and resources to create a more efficient and effective placement process.
MTC’s role as an intermediary ensures that graduates are matched with suitable employers in a timely manner, while DWS’s registration process provides graduates with access to additional support and resources through the American Job Centers. This coordinated approach not only benefits the graduates but also helps senior living employers to meet their staffing needs more effectively.
“This streamlined approach is beneficial for everyone involved,” said Abubakar. “Our owner and operator members receive highly qualified candidates more quickly, which helps them maintain the high standards of care that residents expect and deserve.”
Companies Participating in Direct Workforce Services (DWS)
Several senior living communities are actively participating in DWS to support this initiative. These companies include: Silverado with communities in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, metro areas as well as communities in Texas, Maryland and Virginia; New Perspective, Spring Arbor, Benchmark, VAHS, Heritage with communities in Arizona, Idaho, Iowa and Nebraska; LCS; Brightview with communities throughout Maryland, New Jersey and New York; RUI: NJ, MA, VA representatives; Sunrise, Commonwealth; and Charter Senior Living targeting job orders in Florida, VA, MD, TN, KY, IL.
State associations are also getting involved including: ESAAL, WALA, ARALA, and Massachusetts. These communities and state associations are key partners in the DWS program, providing numerous opportunities for graduates to start their careers in various locations across the country.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Workforce Development in Senior Living
As the senior living industry continues to evolve, the need for skilled and dedicated professionals will only increase. This strategic collaboration to place 200 graduates by the end of 2024 is a significant step toward meeting this need, but it is also just the beginning. Ongoing efforts to align training programs with industry needs, streamline the placement process, and foster strategic partnerships will be essential to building a robust and sustainable workforce. Through strategic partnerships with Argentum’s Direct Workforce Services, MTC is creating a streamlined and efficient placement process that benefits both graduates and employers.
Argentum’s Inaugural Workforce Symposium
The upcoming Argentum Workforce Symposium, scheduled to take place on August 5-6, 2024, in Arlington, VA, will provide an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made so far and to identify new strategies for addressing the challenges ahead. By bringing together industry leaders and workforce development professionals, the symposium will help to ensure that the senior living sector is well-prepared to meet the needs of an aging population.
Dialogue sessions at the symposium will explore best practices for workforce development, the role of partnerships in driving success, and strategies for attracting and retaining talent in the senior living sector. The inclusion of MTC and DWS in these discussions underscores their importance as key players in the effort to build a strong and sustainable workforce.
The Argentum Workforce Symposium is a must-attend event for anyone invested in the future of the senior living workforce. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with industry leaders, educators, and workforce development professionals as they share insights and strategies for overcoming the industry’s challenges. Register now to ensure your place at this pivotal gathering where innovative solutions and powerful collaborations will shape the future of senior living.
