North Memorial Finds Worker Pipeline Through New Hennepin Tech Program
A new program at Hennepin Technical College is connecting students with real-world job opportunities in health care, IT and manufacturing.
Dubbed HTC Works, it’s an apprenticeship program that can lead to a full-time job opportunity.
“The idea is that they’ll get a sustainable wage, but not only that sustainable wage, but also full sets of benefits so that, the idea is they’ll be fully supported throughout their college and their academic training opportunities,” said Jason Jones with Hennepin Tech.
It’s an opportunity that Hennepin Tech student Felton Range found too good to pass up.
“When you roll into the apprenticeship, you’re immediately at that point with North — you’re full-time and you’re a part of the team,” he said.
He’s been working in IT at North Memorial for about a year, and wants to stay there.
“If somebody has some work for me to do, I am never opposed to more work,” he said. “I appreciate more work.”
When he completes his apprenticeship, he’ll have an offer for a full-time IT role.
Hennepin Tech student Felton Range is an IT apprentice at North Memorial Health. He’s part of a program called HTC Works, which connects students with real-life work opportunities while they’re still in school.
Earn While You Learn
HTC works can connect students beyond the health-care field.
“Then another one is in the advanced manufacturing spaces,” Jones said. “So we’ve got a pretty robust program with our automation robotics, with our machining program, with our welding program, and so this would be an opportunity to kind of get into those spaces as well.”
The goal is for students to leave college with a job already lined-up.
“Our main connection is our employee partners, and trying to make sure that what we produce is something that they’re able to instantly part getting employed and instantly start being able to provide a sustainable wage for themselves and their families,” Jones said.
It’s worked for students like Range, who found a long-term chance to learn and earn in the workplace.
“Your financial situation’s all taken care of, so you can just fully focus in on work and school,” Range said. “I would recommend it to anybody, any student.”
North Memorial also has a robust IT intern program. They’ve hosted more than 120 student interns since 2012 — and 65 of those interns have joined the team as full-time employees.
