More than 1,300 Missourians have secured life-changing careers through an apprenticeship training grant program led by the Missouri Chamber Foundation and CoxHealth.
The Industry-Driven Healthcare Apprenticeship Program (IDHAP) has helped Missouri hospitals train more than 1,300 apprentices for high-demand health care jobs across the state. The grant program is funded, in part, through an appropriation from the Department of Labor secured with support from Sen. Roy Blunt during his service in the U.S. Senate.
“It is rewarding to see what can happen when employers, community partners and government work together toward a common goal,” said U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt. “I’m grateful to the Missouri Chamber Foundation, CoxHealth and the many hospitals across our state that are investing in apprenticeships and changing lives by providing quality jobs. That was the goal when this funding was secured for Missouri and it is great to see the life-changing results of this investment.”
The Missouri Chamber Foundation administers the grant, and CoxHealth has trained 588 apprentices through the program while also serving as a mentor to hospitals working to create or expand apprenticeship programs.
“When you think about the growth of our region, an investment in education is an investment in progress,” says Max Buetow, CoxHealth’s President and CEO. “We are always looking for ways to support the growth of our teams, and I appreciate all the ways we are advancing professionals in the medical field. The Registered Apprenticeship program has helped so many of our colleagues, and I know it will continue to elevate our healthcare workforce for years to come.”
The IDHAP provides funding, resources and mentorship to hospitals seeking to create or expand apprenticeship programs. CoxHealth was selected by the Missouri Chamber Foundation to serve as a partner and mentor because of its strong track record of apprenticeship success.
CoxHealth has developed one of the most innovative health care apprenticeship models in the state and was recently named “Employer of the Year” by the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD).
Since 2020 at CoxHealth, 588 apprentices have completed their 12 months of on-the-job training and education; 282 are currently in progress on their 12-month apprenticeships.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Missouri hospitals were struggling to fill open positions. We saw CoxHealth address this crisis by building a robust apprenticeship program,” said Karen Buschmann, executive director of the Missouri Chamber Foundation. “We designed the Industry-Driven Healthcare Apprenticeship Program to help spread that solution to hospitals across the state.”
Health care apprenticeships remove barriers by allowing individuals to earn a paycheck while gaining valuable skills, credentials and experience. This model reduces student debt and financial hardship compared to traditional training pathways.
“Apprentices don’t have to choose between supporting their families and pursuing training for a better career,” said Buschmann.
Apprenticeships open doors for nontraditional students, including working adults, career changers, veterans, parents and individuals returning to the workforce.
“I wasn’t making a lot of extra money as a server, and I knew I wouldn’t have enough to go to medical school and follow my dreams,” said Kristen Blum, a CoxHealth apprenticeship graduate. “I was blessed when I learned about the EMT apprenticeship opportunity. It allowed me not only to attend school, but also guaranteed me a job.”
Today, Blum is a paramedic and EMS instructor.
The Industry-Driven Healthcare Apprenticeship Program ends in December 2026. However, the apprenticeship programs that have been established through the program and the individuals who have been trained will continue making positive contributions to Missourians health and our economy.Hospitals participating in the program include: Belton Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, CoxHealth, Hannibal Regional, Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Lafayette Regional Medical Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Lifepoint Health, Mercy, Phelps Health, Research Medical Center, Saint Francis Healthcare System and University Health.
