The Training Fund recently received multiple grants to grow healthcare workforce development initiatives, promote entry-level healthcare pathway and behavioral health programs, and support trust members.

This includes approximately $2 million from The Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board, and two separate grants totaling $6 million from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).

Funding from The Washington Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board and L&I will enable the Training Fund to:

• Increase and diversify workers entering the healthcare workforce
• Expand access to Behavioral Health education and training
• Make a positive impact on workplace needs

The Workforce Board will also support expanding tuition award funding for Training Fund members who fall within the Service Bargaining Unit.

Funding from L&I is based on two contracts with L&I involving pathways to our Introduction to Healthcare Employment and Apprenticeship Programs (IHAP) program. The first provides $4.9 million to continue growth of behavioral health programs. The second, $990,000, will address workforce shortages through pre-apprenticeship and entry-level training.

These grants will play an integral role in growing and diversifying the healthcare workforce, by supporting IHAP and Nursing Assistant-Certified Training Program cohorts as well as Medical Assistant Apprenticeship, Pharmacy Technician, Behavioral Health Technician, and Substance Use Disorder Professional Disorder Apprenticeship cohorts.

The Training Fund has a record of higher-than-average completion rates for our education programs and apprenticeships because we are able to offer supports, benefits, and services. Many of these opportunities are made possible through grant funding just like this, which allows us to meet people where they are at, while promoting equity in all our endeavors.

We are grateful to the Workforce Board and L&I for supporting the Training Fund’s programs and mission through these grants.

Service Members get increase in Tuition Assistance up to $5,250!

Beginning April 01, 2024, the Training Fund is offering eligible Service members an increase up to $5,250 for Tuition Assistance. This increases the previous annual maximum cap for Service bargaining unit members from $3,500 up to a total of $5,250.

This limited-time opportunity is made possible through grant funding. It is available to eligible members on a first-come-first-served basis until available funds are exhausted.

Service members who would like to access this funding must complete a funding request form to get started.

Apply early to make sure that you can maximize this amazing opportunity!

Tuition Assistance: For yet another year, we were able to fund ALL members who applied for Tuition Assistance in 2023! And better yet, we were able to continue serving more members with remaining funding as they applied. Furthermore, we launched a pilot program to extend additional scholarship funding to RN members who had exhausted available funding. This popular benefit remains in demand and has helped many transform many lives and healthcare careers.  

New Members: We extend a warm welcome to our newest members from Providence Hospice & Home Care of Snohomish County, the SWEA/OT/and PT workers at Kaiser Permanente, and the chaplains at Swedish Medical Center – all of whom have recently joined the Training Fund. This brings us to a total of nearly 18,500 members across 8 major employer systems and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW!

A bold vision for Behavioral Health:  I have saved my most thrilling announcement for last. Two years ago, we launched three Behavioral Health Apprenticeships to meet the dire workforce need in a post-pandemic society. Today, not only are these programs thriving – we also have robust pre-apprenticeships – like IHAP and the NA-C entry-level pathway programs – that are providing innovative solutions while also making strides in diversifying the healthcare workforce. Our expanding partnerships with TECH Skills Centers, corporations, and rural healthcare centers are opening doors to previously unexplored terrain. And this is all part of a much broader vision: where our workforce community applies an integrated and holistic approach to address both physical and behavioral health; everyone in Washington state has access to basic behavioral health knowledge, and fellow citizens are equipped with the basic tools to manage and deal with everyday crises. I believe we can get there, and recent grants that support multiple apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship cohorts give me more faith that this dream can come true. To this end, we have hired a Director of Behavioral Health Strategy and a Director of Nursing and Allied Health Strategy to guide this vision. Together with our growing staff – now almost 80 employees – we are charting a path that leverages Labor/Management collaboration, maximizes urban/rural partnerships, and ceaselessly strives toward a future in which healthcare workers truly represent the communities that they serve.

Your hard work and trust continue to inspire us. We appreciate all that you do to provide quality healthcare to Washington communities. Together with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and our employer partners, we are honored to support you and help you achieve your career and education goals.  

– Laura Hopkins, Executive Director, the Training Fund 

Happy National Nurses Week!

National Nurses Week, May 6th-12th, honors nurses and celebrates their incredible contributions to the healthcare industry and patient care. We are thankful to have worked with and supported many nurses in their healthcare journey. Your dedication inspires us, and we  are so proud of you. Thank you nurses! 

Join us at Nurses Week events – at your employer site or online – to learn more about our services and programs for RN members. 

Benefits for Training Fund RN Members

The Training Fund offers many supportive services, education opportunities, and benefits for Training Fund RN members.

Interested in becoming an RN? Learn more about our Hospital Employee Education Training worker friendly programs for becoming an RN.

• Part-time RN program at Bellingham Technical College
• Part-time RN program at Highline College

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 per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences?*

Apply before March 1 for any conferences that you plan to attend April-June 2024.

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

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 deadline to apply for a Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award is March 1.**

*Applications must be submitted before the conference.

**For conferences in April-June 2024.

Welcome to our new members at Kaiser Permanente of Washington! We are thrilled to have Social Workers Employee Association, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists join the Training Fund. You will be eligible for our programs and services beginning January 01, 2024.

We offer education and career advancement programs so that you can develop your skills, advance your career, and improve your professional opportunities. After you have been employed by Kaiser Permanente for 90 days you have access to:

• Career and education counseling services
• Educational support services
• Professional Development support

GET STARTED: fill out our online member application.

Professional Development Support

You belong to the Professional/Technical bargaining unit.

Reimbursement up to $300/yr:

• CEUs/Courses
• Specialty Certifications: National Certifications exams or courses/review materials that prepare members for those exams.
• Professional Memberships: Membership in professional organizations that provide access to CEUs as a benefit of membership

FREE access to unlimited CEU courses through HealthStream

Please contact your Training Fund navigator to learn more.

Professional/Technical Conference Funding

As members of the Professional/Technical bargaining unit, you have an additional professional development benefit. Attend a conference relevant to your field! You can apply for up to $1,500 per year to attend professional conferences. Funding can cover costs for conference registration, travel, and hotel. Pre-approval is required and funding is awarded quarterly.

  Tuition Assistance

Members who have already worked at Kaiser Permanente for more than one year may also qualify for Tuition Assistance now!

Tuition Assistance covers tuition, fees, and book costs for a wide variety of healthcare education programs at regional colleges and universities.

We encourage you to contact your Navigator and start working on your education plan.

If you are currently in school and have already been receiving Tuition Reimbursement from your previous Education Fund, you may be able to add Tuition Assistance from the Training Fund. 

To begin the Tuition Assistance process, submit a Member Application form at the link below.

We look forward to serving you as you pursue your education and career goals.

If you have questions or need help applying, please don’t hesitate to call our office (425-255-0315) or email us.