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On January 17, 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched a $250 million initiative to create new high schools around the nation that will graduate students directly into high-demand healthcare jobs with family-sustaining wages. The initiative pairs public education systems and hospitals in 10 communities —both urban and rural. Collectively, the high schools will serve nearly 6,000 students when their programs are at full capacity.
The initiative responds to severe workforce shortages in healthcare throughout the U.S. There are an estimated two million open healthcare industry jobs and an additional two million expected by 2031 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022 and 2023).
Students will be prepared to enter jobs such as surgical technologist ($56,000 median starting salary), radiology technician ($65,000 median starting salary), or respiratory therapist ($71,000 median starting salary). (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). These jobs provide a clear path to economic mobility, are resilient to automation or outsourcing, and many do not require a four-year degree.
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment will support school start-up costs including personnel needs and classroom and lab renovations; and healthcare-specific work-based learning costs such as developing specialized curricula, lab materials and equipment, and stipends for work-based learning.
Each school will provide traditional academic programming, as well as specialized healthcare classes co-taught by health system employees using co-designed curriculum. The partnerships will also offer work-based learning at the partner health system and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications.
All students will have the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials, certifications, and college credits while in high school. Immediately upon graduation, will have the choice of going straight into work at the partner health system and/or continuing their education – full or part-time – to enhance their preparation for an attractive healthcare career. If they choose to go directly into work, hospital partners have committed to subsidizing the tuition for students’ ongoing part-time or fulltime education.
In ninth and tenth grades, students will participate in job-shadowing and practice their skills in simulation labs. Starting in eleventh grade, students will have access to paid healthcare internships and professional mentoring, among other work-based learning experiences. Some programs will use a hybrid virtual and in-person program (for example, in rural communities). Students will also engage in immersive work-based learning at the partner healthcare system.
Some schools will newly establish their program; others will revamp an existing school.
Both urban and rural locations will participate in the initiative.
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