“SERVING COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE IN THE FINGER LAKES”:
The eighth annual career exploration program coordinated by the Healthcare Alliance of the Finger Lakes and the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board was held March 19th at Finger Lakes Community College’s Canandaigua Campus and saw 200 high school students from 16 local school districts.
“This event enables students to learn firsthand about well paying, middle–skilled jobs that are right in our back-yard” says Recruiter/Generalist for Thompson Health Sue Kirkwood. “We are trying to educate students, teachers and parents now so that there is a ‘pipe-line’ of talented workers in the future” says Kirkwood. According to the New York State Department of Labor the fastest growing jobs in the region include jobs from healthcare and social services. These jobs often require certificates, licensing or two year degrees and offer good salaries and benefits.
Students attending were able to participate in activities and presentations from area employers and training providers while learning about educational qualifications, salaries and specific job duties. Employer representatives from Finger Lakes Health, Thompson Health, Littlejohn Orthodontics, and the YMCA presented information on everything from what it is like to be a Physical Therapist to requirements for working in the field of orthodontics. Instructors from Finger Lakes Community College, Rochester Educational Opportunity Center and Rochester Institute of Technology, provided hands on activities related to careers in Massage Therapy, Nursing, Exercise Science, “Participation from members of the industry really highlights the need for a skilled workforce in the future,” says Kirkwood. “We are hopeful that some of the students attending this year may become the healthcare professionals participating in following years.”