Students Served

In its first year, the partnership is expected to support more than 250 students through career awareness programs, healthcare training pathways and hands-on clinical experiences. Participants include high school and college students, recent graduates and adult learners exploring second careers.

Healthcare Roles Trained

Through strong collaboration with local eIn collaboration with employers, Cape Fear Community College, SEAHEC and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, students are actively being trained for high-demand roles, including:

• Medical assistants (MAs)
• Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
• Registered nurses (RNs)

Additional areas identified by employer demand — such as nurse practitioners, physicians, sonography and radiography — are also being addressed. Programs such as the Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education are currently offered, while Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Physician Assistant (PA) programs are in development.

Strengthening the Local Healthcare System and Economy

With 1 in 4 LPN positions and 1 in 6 RN and CNA posWith thousands of healthcare positions currently unfilled across the state — and CNA turnover rates reaching as high as 80% — the partnership is working to stabilize a fragile healthcare workforce by:

• Increasing awareness and enrollment in healthcare programs
• Enhancing clinical training capacity and mentorship opportunities
• Strengthening employer-educator alignment using the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Talent Pipeline Management® approach

These efforts not only improve patient care but also strengthen the regional economy by connecting local residents to meaningful, well-paying jobs in a growing sector. By investing in talent today, the partnership is helping secure the health and prosperity of southeastern North Carolina for years to come.