Health Careers Expo to inspire the next generation of healthcare pros

HealthEducation

Mar 4

An interactive healthcare careers expo will inform 7th through 12th-grade students and their families about the array of career opportunities within the sector. Hosted by the West Michigan Health Careers Council and Kent Intermediate School District Workforce Development and sponsored by West Michigan Works! and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development, the 2024 Health Careers Expo will take place on Wednesday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kent Career Tech Center, 1655 E. Beltline Ave. NE.

The Health Careers Expo offers a chance for attendees to connect with professionals across various disciplines through networking, hands-on activities and informative discussions. The event will feature interactive experiences and provide essential insights into hiring practices. Students and their parents will also learn about critical factors related to entry-level healthcare positions, including tuition assistance and ways to avoid college debt.

"Our team of community partners and employers are committed to nurturing the future of healthcare professionals by equipping our students and their families with the resources, insights and connections they need to thrive. Our goal is to empower them to discover meaningful careers in healthcare, enriching their lives and our regional economy, said Trevor Mier, West Michigan Health Careers Council lead, West Michigan Works!.

The 2024 GVSU Health Check report highlights significant growth in the healthcare sector, emphasizing the urgent need to develop the next generation of professionals. Among the fastest-growing professions, the employment of registered nurses in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, and Allegan counties surged by 125% to 14,200 positions from 2005 to 2022, with projections indicating a further increase of 8.3% to 15,392 positions by 2030.

The demand for nursing aide positions is expected to grow by 9.3%, reaching 6,048 positions by 2030. Medical assistant roles have also experienced a significant rise, with a 55.2% increase to 2,390 positions from 2005 to 2022 and are projected to grow by another 11.3% to 2,661 jobs by 2030. And the demand for home health aides is projected to grow by 28.2% from 7,680 in 2022 to 9,847 by 2030, creating 217 new positions each year as care shifts towards supporting individuals aging or recovering at home.

Participating employers include Cherry Health, Christian Living Services/Holland Home, Corewell Health, Hope Network, Mary Free Bed, Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan, Pine Rest Mental Health Services, Sunset Senior Communities, Trinity Health, University of Michigan Health-West and Western Regional Community Consortium/Central & Western AHEC.

The employers will showcase careers ranging from clinical roles such as nursing, medical assistants and certified nursing assistants to non-clinical positions in administration, patient care and security. Registration is encouraged but is not required. Interested students and families can register at bit.ly/HealthCareersExpo.