Mercy Flights, a community-based organization providing nonprofit air and ground medical transport in southern Oregon, has successfully implemented a Workforce Ready Capacity-Building Grant received in 2022 to help establish the Southern Oregon Emergency Medical Services Apprenticeship Program (SOEMSAP).

Inspired by apprenticeship models in the trade sector, this program will offer participants an opportunity to earn a livable wage while gaining knowledge, skills, and a college education in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). SOEMSAP was developed through a comprehensive and collaborative approach between Mercy Flights and area high schools, colleges, fire departments, healthcare and workforce development organizations, and other EMS agencies.

To bolster the program's success, Mercy Flights established an advisory group of high school students, current EMT and paramedic students, and recent graduates. This approach identified barriers to pursuing EMS careers, ensuring that the program aligns with the needs and aspirations of the students. The EMS apprenticeship program is now ready to launch later this summer.

An important element of the new apprenticeship program is building awareness of EMS careers with area high school students. Thanks to the Workforce Ready Grant, Mercy Flights launched a region-wide Inspiration and Awareness campaign. Mercy Flights' professionals visited schools, hosted tours, and set up job fair booths introducing more than 500 high school students across Jackson and Josephine counties to exciting career opportunities in EMS.

"We are thrilled to witness the impact this awareness campaign had on our local communities," said Sheila Clough, CEO at Mercy Flights. "By inspiring high school students to explore EMS careers, we are nurturing the next generation of EMTs and paramedics, while meeting the demand for personnel in our region."

To learn more about Mercy Flights, visit www.mercyflights.com/.

Story developed in collaboration with Mercy Flights.

Future Ready Oregon’s Healthcare and Technology Industry Consortia have launched, and plans to kick off the Manufacturing Industry Consortium are underway!

Industry Consortia provide forums for building partnerships that more deeply engage employers, education and training providers, and community-based organizations in addressing workforce development challenges. Each consortium brings together representatives from industry and labor, education, and community partners to identify employment needs throughout Oregon and co-create sector-specific solutions. 

Upcoming activities include the Technology Industry Consortium's first quarter meeting on August 22, and the Manufacturing Industry Consortium's kick-off meeting on August 29. These meetings will be open to the public with more information about times and locations forthcoming in August.

Interested in learning more? Subscribe to the public meeting notices here. We post meeting agendas, charters, handouts, and recordings on the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) Future Ready Oregon Industry Consortia webpage. You can also learn more about the Healthcare Industry Consortium from our latest press release (available in both English and Spanish).

Pictured: Healthcare Industry Consortium kick-off meeting, spring 2023.