Tuition Assistance deadline is October 15

by trainingfund | Aug 20, 2024 | News | 0 comments

Training Fund members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA) to cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs at accredited and approved schools.

The deadline to apply for Tuition Assistance for courses beginning January 2025 or later is October 15, 2024.

Note: If you’re currently an active TA user, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

Tuition Assistance Snapshot: In 2021, 1,061 members used Tuition Assistance to support their education goals. Maximum TA amounts are: $3,500 for Service Bargaining Unit members, and $5,250 for Pro/Tech and RN Bargaining Unit members.

Apply early to receive expert guidance and support from our education Navigators! You do not have to be admitted into a program or know the details before applying for Tuition Assistance – our Navigators are available to work with you and create a plan to succeed.

Note: If you’re currently an active TA user, you do not need to re-apply for this benefit.

The TA benefit is based on your Bargaining Unit and FTE:

Service members maximum Tuition Assistance has increased for limited time from $3,500 to $5,250/year. Learn More
Pro/Tech members maximum Tuition Assistance is $5,250/year
RN members maximum Tuition Assistance is $5,250/year. Additional $3,000/year RN Scholarship is available while funding lasts. Learn More

How to apply for Tuition Assistance:

Complete a Training Fund member application to connect with an Intake Coordinator and Resource Specialist, and get assigned an Education Navigator
Work with your Navigator on an education plan and resources while Tuition Assistance spots are allocated
Register for classes & submit your request for funding, if you qualify for Tuition Assistance
Explore other benefits with your Navigator, e.g., career counseling and tutoring.

My Training Fund Navigator was really great. He walked me through the whole process: applying to the Training Fund, qualifying for Tuition Assistance, and then sending me resources for scholarships to keep my costs as low as possible.

When I was unsure about things, he would reach out on my behalf to help me navigate. He definitely went above and beyond!

Paisha Andersen

Nursing Assistant , MultiCare Deaconess

EVS Week 2024: Training Fund benefits for Service members

by kayla | Aug 20, 2024 | News | 0 comments

Happy Environmental Services Week!

National Environmental Services week, September 8th-14th, honors the important work that EVS staff perform in healthcare facilities to promote better patient care. We have several programs, opportunities, and support services to help our EVS and Service members achieve education and career goals.

Benefits for Training Fund Service Members

Tuition Assistance

Members can apply for Tuition Assistance (TA), which can cover school-related costs like tuition, books, and other fees for approved programs. After 1 year of service with your employer, Service members can apply for Tuition Assistance.

Increase in Tuition Assistance for Service members!

Eligible Service members can now apply for up to $5,250 in Tuition Assistance. The previous annual maximum cap for Service members was $3,500.

This is a limited-time opportunity that is only available on a first-come-first-served basis, or until available grant funds are exhausted.

Learn More

I am working full time and wanted to continue my education goals. I thought they would be out of reach since I was struggling with funds but because of the Tuition Assistance and the Service member Tuition Assistance funding increase I am able to take the pre-req classes I need to be able to eventually apply for nursing school.

Amanda Chu

Medical Assistant, UW Medical Center- Northwest Campus

Professional Development

Service members have access to up to $300/year in Professional Development reimbursement for:

Continuing Education Unit (CEU) conference registration, courses, and required materials
Professional Memberships
National Certifications exams or courses/review materials that prepare members for those exams

You can use your Professional Development funds to cover the cost of BLS/CPR/ACLS/PALS Certification through LifeTek! Training Fund members receive a discount. Learn More

You also have free access to unlimited CEU courses through HealthStream.

Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET)

The Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET) program allows EVS members to learn more skills and possibly receive certification pay. This healthcare industry-informed 24-hour EVS professional training program combines interactive online learning and examination with onsite training and assessment.

English Tutoring

Improve your English listening, speaking, reading, and writing with the Training Fund’s SMRT English program that has English Language courses specifically designed for healthcare professionals.

This easy to use, fun, online English learning includes a personal English Tutor, healthcare specific English lessons, support for every level of English, and training on using computers and internet safely. SMRT English tutoring is free for Training Fund members.

Connect with your Training Fund Navigator to discuss your tutoring needs before requesting a tutor.

Questions? Email or call us at (425) 255-0315.

Laptop & Hotspot Lending

Laptop Lending

We partner with Eduscape to provide laptops – free of charge – to Training Fund members who are currently enrolled in Training Fund programs. This program offers a short-term laptop loan to help you achieve your education goals. Loans are not intended to exceed 90 days or during the decided duration for an approved Training Fund program. Our staff can also work with you to overcome barriers for your own permanent resource.

Mobile Hotspot Lending

The Training Fund has mobile hotspots – free of charge – available to support eligible members who have limited Internet connectivity and are participating in approved Training Fund programs. These hotspots are provided by our partner, Eduscape.

Get connected to these lending programs and explore other supportive services.

Graduation Celebrations

by kayla | Aug 19, 2024 | News, Success Story | 0 comments

Congratulations, Graduates!

Kudos and congratulations to all our graduating members and apprentices!

We celebrated several program graduations over the summer, including: Bellevue College’s RN to BSN pinning ceremony, Introduction to Healthcare employment & Apprenticeship Program (with Seattle Jobs Initiative), Behavioral Health Apprenticeship graduation, and our first Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship with Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center.

We are so proud of all these new graduates: Nursing Assistant-Certified participants who completed their training; and the Medical Assistant apprentices, Behavioral Health, and Pharmacy Technician apprentices who have completed their apprenticeships.

Behavioral Health Apprenticeship Graduation

The Training Fund hosted our first Behavioral Health Apprenticeship graduation on July 18th, 2024. We celebrated graduates from our Behavioral Health Technician Apprenticeship, Peer Counselor Apprenticeship, and Substance Use Disorder Professional Apprenticeship programs. It has been our honor to support these apprentices on their journey and celebrate this huge accomplishment.

“I currently work with residents with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or schizophrenia. It was different to me and I wanted to learn more about these health issues that constantly develop with our elderly population. The more the class progressed, the more I learned on how these health issues can be caused or how we can assist these residents as well.

The Training Fund constantly checks up on me and sees how I am doing with work as well as any needs I may have. I always had a fear of speaking publicly but with Jessica as our instructor for BHT she brought me out of my shell, and I completely lost that fear.”

Karla Martinez-Zuniga, Behavioral Health Technician Apprentice, Cascade Senior Living Services

Learn More about Behavioral Health Apprenticeships

RN to BSN Pinning Ceremony

Congratulations to the members who graduated from the RN-to-BSN program at Bellevue College this year. The program is part-time or full-time, low-residency, and has a flexible hybrid model. Training Fund members have priority acceptance into this program.

Photo of Meeral standing in front of a Graduation banner holding her pin.

“Going to school while working full time and balancing a family can be really challenging. The Training Fund helped by covering tuition, fees, and books for my last 2 quarters of the BSN program. I have always wanted to work in healthcare and although my role has changed over time, the passion and reward I feel in taking care of others endures. I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to do a residency in the NICU and I love my patients and being able to help families through what can be a really challenging time. “

Meeral Khatri, RN, Valley Medical Center

Learn More about RN to BSN at Bellevue College

Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Programs (IHAP)

Fifteen participants graduated from the Spring 2024 IHAP cohort with Seattle Jobs Initiative. Our first IHAP cohort in Pierce County in partnership with Arivva also completed their training.

“I want to start off with saying that my passion is caregiving. Unfortunately, I struggled with addiction issues. My addiction ended up taking me away from my family, my friends, my passion. I had to change the people and places around me. I’m actually gaining two years of sobriety this month. I decided to work in the IHAP program, after I saw others complete the IHAP program and the NA-C program. This is an opportunity to get back into my passion.”

Kianna Hill

Kianna also went on to complete the Nursing Assistant- Certified Training Program. She adds, “I really learned a ton from doing my clinicals. The training I went through has helped me be able to jump right in to my new NAC job at Kline Galland Home. I am consistently using the skills I obtained throughout IHAP as well as my NAC courses. I absolutely love being able to make my residents smile and make their days better.”

Learn More about IHAP

Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship in High School

The pilot Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center (Snohomish County) apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians is a first-of-its-kind apprenticeship opportunity for high school students in WA state. Apprentices also earn college credit in partnership with North Seattle College. We are thrilled to celebrate the first graduates of this program!

“This program is geared toward the industry. We are developing students so that they are industry ready when they complete the program. They got their high school credits, college credits, and got paid while they were doing it. It’s a win win win!”

Shelly Griner, Instructor

Sno-Isle Tech Skills Center Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship graduatation

“This apprenticeship program has impacted my life by creating the opportunity for me to apply my love for healthcare, and also help others in the real world,”

Arizona, first apprentice of the Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship class

Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Deadline Dec 1

by kayla | Aug 12, 2024 | News | 0 comments

The Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award application deadline is right around the corner!

Did you know that we provide our Professional and Technical members with up to $1,500 once per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences?*

Apply before December 1st for any upcoming conference.

We encourage you to apply early!

Professional and Technical workers also have professional development money available to them.

Learn About Your PD Benefits

These benefits enable you to attend conferences, advance your career, and minimize personal out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s how it works:

Pro/Tech Conference funding can cover the cost of travel (hotel, transportation expenses, etc.) and registration fees.
Pro/Tech Professional Development benefits can cover the cost of attending a conference, e.g., registration fees.
Both benefits require members to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The quarterly deadline to apply for a Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award is December 1st*

*Applications must be submitted before the conference.

Benefit awards will be announced each quarter. It is recommended that applications be submitted throughout the year for an upcoming conference.

Learn More about Conference Funding

Apply Today!

The Training Fund launches the first IHAP Cohort in Pierce County with Arivva

by kayla | Aug 7, 2024 | News | 0 comments

Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Program (IHAP)

First Pierce County Cohort with Arivva

Group photo of the Training Fund's first IHAP Cohort with Arivva.

The Training Fund’s Introduction to Healthcare employment and Apprenticeship Program (IHAP) trains entry-level job seekers for healthcare careers. IHAP was developed by the Training Fund’s Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (HCAC) and is implemented in partnership with Seattle Jobs Initiative (King County) and, more recently, Arivva (Pierce County). Diversifying the healthcare workforce and generating opportunities for under-represented and currently unemployed individuals is a key focus of this program.

Dan Bissonnette, Executive Director, explains why Arivva opted to partner with the Training Fund: “Our organizational missions matched. Arivva seeks to serve unemployed and underemployed individuals living in Parkland and throughout Pierce County through no-cost job training programs that result in living-wage jobs on a sustainable career path. The Training Fund opportunity was a perfect match for us to bring IHAP to Pierce County.” Arivva’s first IHAP cohort demonstrates this program’s positive impact on the local community.

IHAP consists of two Phases: Phase 1 is a free 3-week training program that provides introductory overviews of healthcare career opportunities, professional development, and wraparound support services for participants. Phase 2 is an 8-week Certified Nursing Assistant (NA-C) training program for those who want to pursue the introductory phase and obtain NA-C certification. The focus is on teaching practical skills and medical terminology while providing structure and a positive environment to foster growth and achieve success. In this manner, IHAP generates entry pathways while also removing barriers to education.

Participants in this first cohort appreciated the valuable skills they had learned over just a few weeks, such as resume-building and interview skills. IHAP creates a community to support participants every step of the way. IHAP instructor Ben Gonzalez explains,

“This kind of program is empowering, and I love what it does for the community. I like inspiring the students, reminding them of their power, feeding their ambitions, and providing them with tangible skills to take forward into job interviews and further.”

The diverse voices and experiences in this first Arivva IHAP cohort are inspiring!

Ben Gonzalez, Instructor

Photo of Kenah and Guilain, two African men.

Kenah Dimasius Kum (left), Guilain Kanane (right)

Guilain, who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been in the US for four months and is pursuing his dreams. He shares, “Back in Africa, I was born and grew up in a war zone. I saw a lot of people dying from gunshots or bombs; that is where my passion started. You feel like you can’t help. Since childhood, I wanted to one day become a doctor. When I came to America, I got the opportunity to join this program.” Guilain plans to pursue the NA-C training program and says, “I feel so happy, and I can achieve my dream. I want to eventually become a surgeon.”

Denise is a mother of two adult children and reminds us, “It is never too late.” She explained her interest in a healthcare career: “I have been passionate about healthcare since I came to America. I have had multiple caregiving positions all throughout the last several years – and these only grew when I later became a patient myself. I was moved by how well I was taken care of, both in the hospital and afterward in rehab. I really appreciate that this is a free program, and all the opportunities arising out of this. I would like to explore working in a hospital setting and patient care, maybe a rehab facility.”

Denise Moisescu

IHAP is an important entry for those wanting to build a healthcare career. But more significantly, it simultaneously strengthens and diversifies our healthcare workforce. “Many, many jobs for the Certified Nurse Assistant in Pierce County have gone chronically unfilled for a long time,” says Dan Bissonnette. “IHAP provides an introduction to healthcare careers and, specifically, no-cost NA-C job training. This opens avenues for individuals who previously could not access such training.”

Perhaps what is most amazing about IHAP is the sheer diversity of career goals and opportunities within the healthcare industry. Just within this pilot cohort, IHAP participants expressed a range of interests and aspirations:

Jaisona’s goal is to be a radiology technician. She chose IHAP because she wants career stability for herself and her two-year-old daughter.

Jon, inspired by his mom, who was an RN for 60 years, is entering the medical field after an 18-year military career and a long history of manual labor. He wants to work in telemedicine and is interested in potentially becoming a cardiac monitor technician.

Kenah, who recently immigrated from Cameroon, plans to complete the NA-C program and become a medic or a nurse.

Diamond is starting a new career in the medical field while also encouraging her grown daughter to pursue a degree or work in healthcare.

Noelani was inspired by multiple family members who are all nurses. Due to her own medical issues, she was also frequently in hospitals as a young girl and wants to eventually work in Pediatrics.

IHAP offers participants multiple opportunities through a single entry point—and provides them with structure, support, and encouragement along the way. The opportunities are endless, and no matter where you start, the Training Fund can help you finish!

Learn More about IHAP

Learn More about NA-C program

Welcome to the Training Fund, Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County

by kayla | Jul 3, 2024 | News | 0 comments

Welcome to our new members from Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County (PHHCSC)! You are now eligible for Training Fund programs and services.

We offer education and career advancement programs so that you can develop your skills, advance your career, and improve your professional opportunities. Please fill out our online member application to access available academic and career navigation services.

Watch our welcome video to learn more about the Training Fund!

Virtual Info Sessions

Attend a virtual info session to learn more about the Training Fund and benefits and services available to you!

REGISTER: Wednesday, July 17th, 7:00 am – 8:00 am

REGISTER: Tuesday, July 23rd, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

REGISTER: Saturday, July 27th, 9:00am – 10:00 am

Benefits after 90 days employment

These programs and services are available to you after you have been employed by PHHCSC for 90 days:

Career and education counseling services
Educational support services, such as academic support workshops, math and science tutoring, English language classes, and basic computer classes
Professional Development support, such as reimbursement for activities like specialty certifications and conferences/courses that carry CEU credits, and free access to CE Unlimited courses.
and so much more!

Photo of a white woman with short dark curly hair wearing a gray t-shirt and holding a little black and brown dog.

Sarah Taylor

RN, Providence Hospice and Home Care

Sarah talks about her experience with a HEET program coordinated by the Training Fund and how the program and benefits impacted her life.

“I am Sarah Taylor. I have been a nurse 36 years. I have been at Providence Hospice 13 of those years. I graduated with my RN in 2010. I was an LPN for 25 years. I finally had decided to pursue getting my RN. I found so many obstacles trying to get into a program for a returning LPN. I had given up, that is where SEIU and Valley General Hospital in Monroe collaborated together on a HEET grant program. I would not have gotten my RN without this fund. I am always so grateful for this. This fund helped me with books, tuition, tutors and even scrubs for clinicals. I can not begin thank this program enough on it has changed and impacted my life. “

Tuition Assistance

Once you have worked at Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County for one year, you may also qualify for Tuition Assistance, which covers tuition, fees, and book costs for a wide variety of healthcare education programs at regional colleges and universities. But even if you have not yet worked at PHHCSC for one year, please contact us to explore academic support and resources, career planning, and how we can help you reach your goals.

Your primary Tuition Assistance application deadline is July 31st, 2024 if you plan to attend school Fall quarter 2024. We encourage members to contact us early to work with a Training Fund Navigator on your education plan. Our annual Tuition Assistance deadline is October 15th for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Preapproval is required for funding. In addition to reimbursement for tuition costs, we provide Tuition Assistance vouchers so you do not have to pay up front!

Click here to learn more about Tuition Assistance.

Submit your Member Application form today to connect with a Regional Education Navigator & get started. We’re here to help you achieve your education & career goals!

Submit a Member Application form!

Review your Plan of Benefits!