LeadingAge PA Helps Address Aging Services Workforce Crisis Through Educational Partnerships

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (August 13, 2024)—LeadingAge PA, a trade association representing 400+ high-quality senior housing, healthcare, and community services across the Commonwealth, is excited to unveil its Career Growth Partners, which are educational institutions that share our passion for advancing careers in aging services. We are delighted to spotlight our newest partner, Central Penn College. It is designed to forge academic partnerships to provide LeadingAge PA member staff access to more accessible education, up-to-date and relevant curricula, and robust career development opportunities.

“The overarching goal of our Career Growth Partners is to cultivate a new generation of professionals within the aging services sector and empower those already in aging services to further their careers.,” explained Erin McDermott, Director of Member Engagement and Workforce Solutions at LeadingAge PA. “We believe that these partnerships will showcase the fulfilling careers available in aging services and the opportunities for career advancement.”

Garry Pezzano, President and CEO of LeadingAge PA, emphasized the importance of initiatives like this in addressing larger challenges. He stated, "There is a workforce crisis in Pennsylvania’s aging services sector, and addressing it requires collaboration and multifaceted strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. We take pride in our partnerships with educational institutions like Central Penn College, which help support our member providers and drive significant change for the future of aging services."

LeadingAge PA’s Career Growth Partners encompasses three key partnership categories:

• Continuing Education Scholarships: Granting exclusive access to affordable tuition rates through scholarships for a variety of educational programs offered by educational partners.
• Curriculum Development: Collaborating with educational institutions to create cutting-edge curricula tailored to the unique needs and challenges of the aging services sector.
• Career Exposure Opportunities: Providing students with career opportunities and shadowing experiences at LeadingAge PA member sites, offering invaluable insights, hands-on training, and mentorship from seasoned experts.

Central Penn College, LeadingAge PA’s newest Career Growth Partner, falls under the Continuing Education Discounts category and is offering a $2,000 scholarship specifically to staff who work at LeadingAge PA member communities spread over six consecutive terms. This scholarship provides steady and secure support for students’ educational journeys. It is available to students pursuing various programs, from business administration to healthcare, at certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s levels. The scholarship is designed to aid in senior services organizations’ retention and recruitment efforts and upskill the workforce.

"Central Penn College is thrilled to join LeadingAge PA's Career Growth Partners," said Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, President of Central Penn College. "This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of providing career-focused, affordable education, and it allows us to support the Central Pennsylvania community by upskilling the dedicated workforce in senior services. We are excited to partner on scholarship and continuing education opportunities that empower individuals to advance their careers and ensure high-quality care for our aging population."

To learn more about the scholarship and LeadingAge PA’s collaboration with Central Penn College, visit centralpenn.edu.

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