Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area are partnering with major hospital groups and local clinics to provide on the job training and support classroom learning for Austin teens graduating high school.

In a nutshell

Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to apply for a health care apprenticeship; however, applicants must have a high school diploma or general education development certificate in order to sit for the certification exam at the end of the apprenticeship training.

Director of Health Care Partnerships at Workforce Solutions Capital Area Ashley King said there are several benefits to applying for an apprenticeship, including:
  • No prior experience is required
  • No cost training and certification
  • Get paid for on the job training
King said apprentices will receive training, advanced skills, and a transferable certification while earning a living. In addition to apprenticeships, local hospitals are also seeking to hire recent graduates for entry-level positions and lead those individuals to pathways in the health care system, with a goal of offering multiple entry points into health care and giving job seekers more options, King said.

What you need to know


Austin's growing population comes with a growing need for more health care options.

"Since [the start of the pandemic], we have seen an increase in health care wages across the board," King said. "We have also seen an increase in sign-on bonuses for a variety of health care occupations. Employers are trying to incentivize employees in or to cut down on travel workers and the cost associated with those hires."

Sorting out details

Currently, Workforce Solutions Capital Area is recruiting for certified medical assistants for various clinics throughout the Central Texas region, King said.


"Due to the success of the current certified medical assistance apprenticeship, Workforce Solutions Capital Area is working to establish additional apprenticeship programs to help address additional health care workforce needs," King said. "Employers will soon have apprenticeship programs available for phlebotomy and pharmacy tech certifications in addition to CMAs."

Learn more

Anyone interested in applying for an apprenticeship should visit www.wfscapitalarea.com/apprenticeships for a list of current available apprenticeship job postings or to sign up to attend an informational session to learn more. The next virtual career and training services orientation is set for June 19 from 3:30-5 p.m.