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2004 Social Innovator

Boston Health Care and Research Training Institute

The Boston Health Care and Research Training Institute is a collaborative, groundbreaking model that is increasing educational opportunities for low-wage adults in the health care and research industry while simultaneously improving the ability of health care institutions to deliver high quality
care to their patients.

Social Problem:

• Twenty percent of all job vacancies are in health care and research, Boston’s largest industry that employs 95,000 people.

• Forty-five percent of Boston residents have a high school degree or less, which limits their ability to earn a living wage.

Key Accomplishments & Social Impact:

• Expanded from 4 to 11 participating employers, now serving 35
  percent of Boston’s health and research sector.

• Increased training from 80 to 350 employees per year.

• Launched an unprecedented system that will serve the adjacent
  neighborhoods through targeted training, job placement and other
  supports.

• One of the only workforce development models in the country to
  successfully demonstrate business value to key employers, who are now contributing to the Training Institute’s funding.

Future Plans:

Over the next three years, the Training Institute plans to:

• Continue to increase the efficiency of health care employers by
  improving retention and filling vacancies.

• Create a permanent Training Institute in the Longwood Medical and
  Academic Area that will institutionalize career development
  opportunities for entry level workers, and provide employers with a
  steady source of qualified workers in areas of skill shortages.

• Strengthen the systems that facilitate hiring from the surrounding
  neighborhoods and support progression along well-defined career
  paths at each employer’s site.

• Explore opportunities to share lessons learned with other communities and medical centers to help address skill shortages nationwide.

Read Boston Health Care and Research Training Institute Prospectus