The year is ending, don’t miss out on funding!

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Submit for tuition assistance, education, training, or professional development funding by Dec. 31. The Training Fund encourages you to submit your funding requests and supporting documentation early to make the deadline.

Tuition Assistance

Submit your funding request for Tuition Assistance using this request form.

Professional Development

Eligible Professional Development activities can be reimbursed using these forms.

Nurse Specialty Certification & Professional Development

As an eligible RN, you can be reimbursed up to $300 per year for CEUs/courses, specialty nurse certification exam and re-certification fees, and professional memberships (providing CEU access). Use these forms under the Nurses (RN) tab.

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Orange background upper half of image with dark blue text "Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award deadline is Dec. 1". White wave splits the image. Lower half dark blue background with Training Fund logo.

Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award deadline is Dec. 1

The Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award application deadline is right around the corner!

Did you know that we provide our Professional and Technical members with up to $1,500 per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences?* 

Apply before December 1 for any conferences that you plan to attend in 2024.

Professional and Technical workers also have professional development money available to them.

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These benefits enable you to attend conferences, advance your career, and minimize personal out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Pro/Tech Conference funding can cover the cost of travel (hotel, transportation expenses, etc.) and registration fees.
  • Pro/Tech Professional Development benefits can cover the cost of attending a conference, e.g., registration fees.
  • Both benefits require members to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The deadline to apply for a Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award is December 1.**

*Applications must be submitted before the conference.

**For conferences in 2024.

Apply Today!
Top half of the image white and orange text on a dark blue background "Celebrating 15 years of Healthcare Partnerships!". Bottom half of the image white background. Text on the left "2008-2023 Creating opportunity and equity for our healthcare workforce community. Event logo on the right with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund logo in the center.

Celebrating 15 years of Healthcare Partnerships!

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On October 25, 2023, the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training & Education Fund (Training Fund) marks its 15-year anniversary. This milestone event celebrates innovative labor/management partnerships that drive workforce solutions, and will bring together union members, healthcare employers, education partners, community-based organizations, and staff. Attendees will include member speakers, representatives from major healthcare employers across Washington, and local dignitaries such as SEIU Healthcare 1199NW President Jane Hopkins, and King County Executive Dow Constantine

The Training Fund is a labor/management partnership that brings together Washington’s biggest healthcare union and its largest healthcare employers to align on investing in workforce development and community representation. Established in 2008, the Training Fund has expanded beyond programs and services that promote career advancement for healthcare workers, to also implement several healthcare apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and certified nursing assistant programs. This ground-breaking enterprise leverages the healthcare industry’s greatest strengths – its people and institutions – to collectively keep pace with this rapidly changing, ever expanding and highly complex sector.

The Training Fund’s accomplishments include:

  • Supporting more than 1,500 healthcare workers annually with Career Counseling services since 2018
  • More than $23.8 million awarded in federal, state, and private grants 
  • Six Washington State-registered Healthcare Apprenticeships (spanning medical/pharmacy & behavioral health pathways)
  • 106 pre-apprenticeship program participants since 2021
  • Career Connect Washington‘s Healthcare Sector Leader
  • 167 certified Nursing Assistants have completed our NA-C training program since 2021
  • 408 members have used Tuition Assistance to advance their careers and education in 2023 alone — 63% of them identify as BIPOC

Learn more about our work and accomplishments over the last 15 years in our press release 15 Years of Advancing Healthcare Careers, Creating Career Pathways and Improving Patient Care across Washington.

Our 15-year anniversary event celebrates our accomplishments, partnerships, and members. Together, we are creating opportunity and equity for our healthcare workforce community. 

Program participants and members will share their victories and stories. Labor and mangement partners will speak about the successes that have come from partnership with the Training Fund.

The event will conclude with the presentation of the inaugural Diane Sosne Award.

The SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund proudly recognizes Dow Constantine, King County Executive, as an exemplary partner for his significant contribution to the healthcare workforce and community; his passion and dedication to equity, access, and workers’ advocacy; and for being a champion of Labor-Management collaboration.

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“Behavioral health care requires a skilled and experienced workforce, and King County is committed to investing in a system that puts workers at the center to best meet the needs of providers, patients, and the region as a whole. The Training Fund’s Behavioral Health apprenticeship program is so important, and King County is pleased to fund this collaborative approach that is advancing healthcare careers and building a workforce that will strengthen and enhance the behavioral health system overall. It is amazing to see the impacts of the last 15 years and to hear inspiring stories of these apprentices and their mentors.” 

Dow Constantine, King County Executive

I want other people like me who are interested in health care to not give up on their dreams and make the most out of learning! I am so grateful for the help I got from the [Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium] which helped set a pathway for me to become an Orthopedic Surgeon…The teachers, nurses, and the people leading the program were all so friendly and engaging–they welcomed my curiosity and made me excited about a career in healthcare!

“As we celebrate 15 years, the Training Fund is increasingly a go-to partner for healthcare workforce development and solutions across Washington and the region. We are proud of our accomplishments and of the many productive cross-sector partnerships that have brought them to fruition.” 

 Laura Hopkins, Executive Director, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training & Education Fund

There are lots of people who are looking for advancement and who want to climb the ladder. But it’s so difficult working our job and it’s hard to be connected to the resources. It’s so helpful that there’s really one place that you can go to, like the Training Fund, for your continuing education and career needs.

“It’s really important for everyone who works in healthcare to be able to have a career pathway. That’s what the Training Fund does for people. The Training Fund can change people’s lives. The Training Fund meets the needs of all of our communities—including low-income and communities of color. We are proud of the Training Fund’s 15 years of creating career pathways that enable caregivers to reflect the populations they serve and provide equitable access to meaningful work.” 

Jane Hopkins, President, SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and Board of Trustees Co-Chair for the Training Fund

I didn’t think that I would be the first from my cohort to graduate and get my MA-C, but I did. My instructor was amazing – he made learning fun, and helped me believe in even furthering my education beyond a CMA for the future. I was able to pass the exam because I attended the study sessions.

And while waiting to get my license, I was offered a position to be an apprentice at UW Primary Care! It’s funny to think how things come full circle and you end up where you are supposed to be.

“We need healthcare workers desperately. The Training Fund not only helps with recruitment, but also with retention of workers. As we mark 15 years, the breadth of programs and services available to Training Fund members and participants continues to impact the lives of thousands of healthcare workers and, by extension, the care that their patients receive. At Providence-Swedish, we’re proud to have worked with the Training Fund on several innovative programs, including the Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians and the Culinary Pathway Program.” 

Renee Rasilyer-Bomers, Chief Nursing Officer for Providence-Swedish and Board of Trustees Chair for the Training Fund

The multi-employer, labor-management partnership model allows the Training Fund to attract significant grant dollars to expand services for its members and the broader community. The Training Fund has received funding through multiple federal, state, and private grants, including more than $23.8 million in grant funding. We truly appreciate this important support from our funding partners. Special thanks to the following funders:

  • State of Washington Department of Labor & Industries
  • U.S. Department of Labor’s Healthcare Career Advancement Program Closing the Skills Gap Grant
  • King County American Rescue Plan Act Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Grant
  • Seattle Office of Economic Development
  • Ballmer Group

Learn more about our work and accomplishments. Read our press release 15 Years of Advancing Healthcare Careers, Creating Career Pathways and Improving Patient Care across Washington

Additional Funding for RN members

All eligible members can apply for up to $5,250/year in Tuition Assistance.

The Training Fund  is pleased to offer our RN members an additional scholarship up to $3,000/year for a limited period.

Funding is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so apply now to maximize this opportunity!

Contact your Navigator to learn more and apply for these funding opportunities.

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These amazing opportunities are available to support active RN members until available funds are exhausted. If you have already spent your Tuition Assistance  you can apply now for an additional Scholarship up to $3,000/year.

RN Scholarship funding
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Scholarship funding is additional Tuition Assistance (TA) support that is available to RN members who have already exhausted their existing TA funds. Similar to Tuition Assistance, this Scholarship funding is prorated based on the member’s FTE.

You are eligible for additional TA Scholarship funding if you:

  • Are an active RN Training Fund member who has been approved for Tuition Assistance (TA)
  • Have already spent what is already available to you through TA

Similar to TA, Scholarship funding is prorated based on your FTE. The total amount available to you per calendar year* is:

FTE Scholarship Funding Level
0.75 – 1.0 $3,000
0.5 – 0.74 $2,250
0.1 – 0.49 $1,500

*while funds are still available

Scholarship funding is available to RN members who are actively using TA, and have already exhausted available TA.  You can apply for Scholarship funding through 2025. This is a limited one-time opportunity, based on first-come-first-serve model until available funds are exhausted.

If you are already actively using the TA benefit, you can apply for Scholarship funding for any eligible TA-associated costs.

You cannot apply for Scholarship funding if you are:

  • not a current TA user.
  • currently on academic hold.
  • planning to apply this funding to cover retroactive costs

Contact your Navigator to learn more and apply for this funding.

Note: You must be a current TA user to qualify for this funding. Not sure if you have signed up for TA or already spent your available TA? Contact your Navigator to find out.

Have questions about Scholarship funding? Contact your Navigator to learn more and get started.
RN Professional Development Support
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Professional Development support is additional Professional Development (PD ) funding that is available to RN members who have already exhausted existing PD funds. It can be used to cover CEUs and courses, specialty certifications, and professional memberships.

You are eligible to apply for additional PD support funding if you:

  • are an active RN Training Fund member
  • have already exhausted your PD funds

Currently, RN members can apply for up to $300 as part of your core benefits. PD Support funding allows you to apply for an additional $200 (i.e., $500 total) to cover professional development and CEU costs.

PD Support funding is available to RN members who have already exhausted available PD funds. You can apply through 2025. This is a limited one-time opportunity, based on first-come-first-serve model until available funds are exhausted.

You cannot use PD Support funding to cover retroactive costs.

Contact your Navigator to learn more and apply for this funding.

Note: Not sure who your regional navigator is? Not sure if you have already spent your available PD funds? Use the Find My Navigator tool to connect and find out.

Have questions about PD Support funding? Contact your Navigator to learn more and get started.

Training Fund and HCAC Host BH Pathways Event

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On June 20, the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (HCAC) and Training Fund hosted stakeholders from across the state invested in developing educational pathways to behavioral health degree programs. Faculty, administrators, and HCAC staff members gathered to brainstorm ways to meet the state’s behavioral health needs through educational pathways across the state system.

Cynthia DeRocher, an apprentice in the Behavioral Health Technician program, spoke at the event. She said, “The opportunity to do the apprenticeship program and work at the same time has been such a blessing. My employer has been great about accommodating any needs I have. The program has provided any and all resources including their time to assist with any questions on how to do what’s needed to be successful.”

She continued: “I have had help from my teacher on how to format my papers. There is tutoring available, you can schedule a session for help with writing your papers. All the material we need and go over in class is available through the Canvas program which is amazing. Everything necessary for success is available.”

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Training Fund ED Laura Hopkins alongside Behavioral Health Tech apprentices Jessica Ramirez and Cynthia DeRocher.

HCAC and the Training Fund are committed to addressing the needs of the state’s behavioral health workforce. The Behavioral Healthcare Apprenticeship Program is a registered statewide apprenticeship program that directly responds to these needs and aims to: promote accessibility to services, build a pathway of skilled and diverse candidates, and stabilize the behavioral health workforce through increased employee motivation and retention.

This innovative program offers three career pathways to address specific areas of concern:

  • Behavioral Health Technician: 1-year program
  • Peer Counselor: 1-year program
  • Substance Use Disorder Professional: 2-year program

Learn more at our webpage highlighting the three programs and sign up to stay up-to-date.

A nurse applies for scholarships on their laptop.

Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award deadline is June1

The Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award application deadline is right around the corner!

Did you know that we provide our Professional and Technical members with up to $1,500 per year (in reimbursements) to attend local and national conferences?*

Apply before June 1 for any conferences that you plan to attend between October and December 2023.

'Learn
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These benefits enable you to attend conferences, advance your career, and minimize personal out-of-pocket costs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Pro/Tech Conference funding can cover the cost of travel (hotel, transportation expenses, etc.) and registration fees.
  • Pro/Tech Professional Development benefits can cover the cost of attending a conference, e.g., registration fees.
  • Both benefits require members to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The deadline to apply for a Pro/Tech Conference Travel Funding Award is June 1.**

*Applications must be submitted before the conference.

**For conferences between October 1 and December 31, 2023.

Apply Today!

From High School to NA-C: Narielle Mendoza

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As a high school senior, Narielle Mendoza has a busy schedule: classes, tests, extracurriculars. But that didn’t stop her from becoming a Nursing Assistant-Certified (NA-C) earlier this year with the Health Care Apprenticeship Consortium (HCAC).

In collaboration with Tacoma Public Schools, HCAC now offers an innovative NA-C training program for high school students. As the healthcare needs of the state grow, so too does the need for trained healthcare workers. HCAC’s NA-C training program offers a roadmap to filling that need.

Through the program, Narielle learned the ins and outs of life as an NA-C by taking part in classroom work and in-person labs. She even did her clinicals at Multicare Tacoma, shadowing nurses there and putting her skills to the test: “I actually got to use that information [from class and labs] and expand on my knowledge…[It was rewarding] seeing patients in real life and seeing nurses and doctors and other health care professionals. It was truly amazing and inspiring and I got the greatest experience from that.”

Narielle is passionate about helping others live their best, healthiest lives. The NA-C training program’s staff ensured that her passion was met with expert guidance. Narielle credits the instructors: “The teachers, nurses, and the people leading the program were all so friendly and engaging. They welcomed my curiosity and made me excited to have a healthcare career.” 

Narielle had family support along the way, too. Her father, himself a CNA, offered her constant encouragement and guidance. They bonded over her experience in the NA-C program: “He loves healthcare as much as I do and is always inspiring me to see how much you can make a difference to help people who need care.” Narielle’s father gave her some timeless advice, too: learn from your mistakes.

Now, Narielle is set on finishing out her senior year of high school before college begins. She plans to spend this summer working at a nursing home, where she will put her NA-C skills to use: in her words, she will “assist in taking vital signs and measurements such as urine, weight, and blood pressure; feeding; dressing; cleaning; hygiene care; and assisting in exercise.”

With ambitions of becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon, Narielle’s journey is just beginning. Through the HCAC’s NA-C training program and Tacoma Public Schools, she has taken a big step toward living out her dreams. To all the prospective NA-C program applicants, Narielle offers these wise words: “It might be a tough journey to reach your goals, but keep going because you will be proud that you conquered so much. Your next journey is even more fulfilling for people looking up to you to save their lives!”

Looking Ahead: Letter from ED Laura Hopkins

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope that you’re having a good start to the year. I’m very proud of what we’ve all accomplished together in 2022 and am looking ahead to serving even more healthcare workers in 2023. 

We are so excited that we were able to fund ALL members who applied for Tuition Assistance by the October 15, 2022, deadline! And we even had remaining funding to cover some members who applied after the deadline. In total, more than 600 eligible members were funded to go back to school in 2022 – this is in addition to those who are already enrolled and working hard to complete their programs. We hope even more members apply for Tuition Assistance this year to take advantage of this valuable life-changing opportunity to advance their careers.  

A warm welcome to our newest members from Providence St. Peter Hospital, Neighborcare Health, and St. Clare Hospital (Virginia Mason Franciscan Health), all of whom joined the Training Fund in 2022. This brings us to nearly 20 employers who partner with the Training Fund and SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and we now have 17,000 members! Watch our welcome video to learn more about the Training Fund. 

We are committed to diversity and equity in everything that we do to promote a healthcare workforce that looks like and represents our communities. 

Thank you for your hard work – we appreciate you and recognize that these are extremely challenging times. Together with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW and our employer partners, we are honored to support you and help you achieve your career and education goals. 

– Laura Hopkins, Executive Director, the Training Fund 

First Cohort Completes ACET Program!

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The first six participants of the ACET program alongside Training Fund staff and ACET program leaders.

On Thursday, December 1, the first six participants in the Training Fund’s new Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians (ACET) program passed their final exams!

ACET is a healthcare industry-informed 24-hour EVS professional training program that combines interactive online learning and examination with onsite training and assessment. The program supports EVS Techs in learning new skills and possibly earning a raise.

ACET is one of the many labor-management initiatives that the Training Fund has collaborated on to build a stronger, more committed healthcare workforce. Joshua Porter, Director of Labor Management Programs, had this to say about the first ACET cohort:

Building healthier communities benefits us all! Quality healthcare relies upon highly-skilled environmental service professionals, keeping our health system staff and patients safe as they deliver and receive critical care. The Training Fund is honored to announce 100% of our inaugural Advanced Certification for EVS Technicians course participants passed their final exams, earning their new ACET certifications. Join us in celebrating these incredible professionals, who strengthen our healthcare community!

As successful participants of the program, these ACET-certified EVS Techs demonstrated competence in the following areas:

      • Promoting a culture of safety
      • Infection prevention
      • Tools & equipment
      • Waste handling
      • Green training
      • Team & patient engagement

Learn more about the ACET program by watching the video below, and visit the ACET program page to learn more.

Welcome to the Training Fund, St. Peter members!

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Welcome to our new members from Providence St. Peter Hospital! You will be eligible for our programs and services beginning November 1, 2022.

We offer education and career advancement programs so that you can develop your skills, advance your career, and improve your professional opportunities. After November 1, please fill out our online member application to access available academic and career navigation services.

Watch our welcome video to learn more about the Training Fund!

These programs and services are available to you after you have been employed by St. Peter for three months:

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  Tuition Assistance

Once you have worked at St. Peter for one year, you may also qualify for Tuition Assistance, which covers tuition, fees, and book costs for a wide variety of healthcare education programs at regional colleges and universities. But even if you have not yet worked at St. Peter for one year, please contact us to explore academic support and resources, career planning, and how we can help you reach your goals.

Your Tuition Assistance application deadline is December 15, 2022 if you plan to attend school beginning April 2023 or later. We encourage members to contact us early to work with a Training Fund Navigator on your education plan.

Click here to learn more about Tuition Assistance. To begin the Tuition Assistance process, submit a Member Application form at the link below.

If you are currently in school and have already been receiving Tuition Reimbursement from your previous Education Fund, you may be able to add Tuition Assistance from the Training Fund. Please complete a Member Application form and connect with us to learn more about next steps.

Learn About Your Benefits!

Please contact the Training Fund’s Partner Liaison for St. Peter, Elena Bernardi, to learn more about our programs and services.

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We look forward to serving you as you pursue your education and career goals.

If you have questions or need help applying, please don’t hesitate to call the Training Fund office (425-255-0315) or email us.

“The training fund is here! For more than a decade we’ve been pushing Providence to join and with this great win we now have access to the great wrap around services our health career fund has to offer.  This good news means workers who might be struggling financially wont be stopped by the cost of educational and career advancement. This helps recruitment and retention and establishes an internal pathway to help fill positions.  This has been a long time coming and is a real game changer for folks here at St. Pete’s.”

Contact

15 South Grady Way, Suite 321
Renton, WA 98057

We are located on the 3rd floor of the Evergreen Building, Suite 321.

Phone: (425) 255-0315
Email: members@healthcaretrainingfund.org

Our hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

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SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training Fund is a registered organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.