Recap: 2024 Healthcare Career Pathway Fair in Pikeville

Posted on 9 months ago

Our second Healthcare Career Pathway Fair of 2024 is a wrap! More than 300 students from across Eastern Kentucky attended our event on March 21 at the University of Pikeville.

The event was praised for being “very educational and a great way to learn more about the health career pathways.” Students valued the interactive experience, with one sharing, “It helped me explore where I want to go to college.” Overall, the event provided invaluable insights into healthcare careers and educational opportunities.

Shaping Our Appalachian Region started this initiative two years ago as a way to deepen connections to healthcare providers and training providers with high school students and teachers. This could not be possible without the support of our corporate partners and event sponsors. Our sponsors were:

Our Why

Healthcare jobs are in high demand now and are expected to grow. According to the Council on Post-Secondary Education, healthcare jobs will grow 29% through 2029.

This requires not only planning but also urgent action. Healthcare providers have created innovative pathways, starting with programs in high schools to provide pathways to jobs and continuing education.

There’s no conventional pathway anymore. For example, those wishing to become a nurse could go to college full-time. Or they could earn a credential and work at a hospital while also going to school to become a nurse — and get financial support from their employer.

This level of support and commitment eliminates barriers but provides greater access for students to reach their potential with a good-paying job here in Kentucky’s Appalachian region.

The healthcare workforce challenge is a national challenge. Our solution is homegrown. That’s why Shaping Our Appalachian Region created The Eastern Kentucky Healthcare Action Plan.

This plan asks the following questions:

What’s at stake for Eastern Kentucky’s hospitals?
How would the current trajectory impact our community’s future quality of life?
How can we prepare more Eastern Kentucky residents for healthcare careers?
What solutions are available today?

An Interactive Experience

Shaping Our Appalachian Region’s Healthcare Career Pathway Fair is an immersive and interactive experience for students.

The following organizations provided educational sessions:

Aside from the educational sessions, students also visited an Expo Hall with more than 20 colleges and universities, and healthcare providers, sharing information on jobs, training, and pathways to training and employment.

Thank You to Our Participating Schools

We would like to thank the following schools for their participation in the 2024 Healthcare Career Pathway Fair.

Johnson Central High School
Paintsville High School
Prestonsburg High School
Belfry High School
Martin County Area Technology Center
Belfry ATC- Phelps Satellite Program
Belfry Area Technology Center
Belfry ATC- Phelps Satellite Program
Belfry ATC: Pike Co. Central High School Satellite Program

Thank You to Our Partners

None of this would be possible without our partners. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the following organizations:

See It On Socials

Our team was able to perfectly capture the day and we’d love for you to see what all the excitement is about! You view our event photo album on Facebook and tag any familiar faces you may see. Watch the RECAP.

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