MassHire Central Region Workforce Board

The Medical Administrative Assistant training program is designed to prepare individuals for entry level healthcare employment as medical administrative assistants, medical receptionists, medical secretaries and/or patient access representatives. The course includes classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, CPR certification, soft skills training, and an externship experiential learning assignment. Student will learn patient registration, medical terminology, typical medical policies, patient finance, guest relations, medical roles and responsibilities, how to handle medical emergencies, HIPAA compliance and medical records. Students will also receive instruction in Microcomputer Applications. All equipment, books, and study materials are provided to students.

Participants are also provided with job search assistance and case management during and following training. After training, graduates will be well prepared for employment as medical administrative assistants, medical receptionists, medical secretaries and/or patient access representatives. These skills are in high demand in a number of health care settings, including hospitals and health systems, physicians’ offices, clinics, long-term care facilities, surgery centers, ambulatory surgery centers, rehabilitation centers, and other types of healthcare areas. Wages for these positions in Central Massachusetts average $34,000 to $47,000 per year. These credentials are seen as “stackable” credentials offering individuals with experience as Home Health Aides or Certified Nursing Assistants an opportunity to advance their careers.

The Worcester Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Training program prepares individuals for careers as laborers, sheet metal workers, heat and frost insulators, roofers, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, elevator constructors, and operating engineers through a state-certified pre-apprenticeship training program. Participants are provided with instruction in construction math, blueprint reading, labor history, construction, apprenticeship, diversity and cultural competency, and road construction.

Participants complete OSHA 10 Training, Flagger certification, fall protection training, and CPR & First Aid Training. Participants also visit up to 10 apprenticeship training centers throughout Massachusetts to meet training directors, have tours of apprenticeship training facilities, and engage in hands-on activities in the various trades. All participants receive free personal safety gear including hard had, gloves, safety glasses, boots, and a safety vest. All tools and stock for all activities are provided to participants at no cost. Participants receive stipends of $25 per day throughout the course of training. Participants are also provided with job search assistance and case management during and following training. Through the pre-apprenticeship program, graduates will be well prepared to begin state-certified, apprenticeship training programs in the building trades. Wages of skills union building trades workers following apprenticeship average between $40,000 to $80,000 per year. Because of an expanding market and an aging workforce, the building trades industry is growing and looking for new apprentices. Many local contractors are required to meet diversity goals for minority and female workers and through programs like Worcester Building Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Training program local individuals who have traditionally been underrepresented in the building trades are able to learn the skills necessary to begin careers in the industry.