State of Montana Newsroom
Gov. Gianforte Announces Investment to Build Stronger, More Robust Health Care Workforce
Funding to provide scholarships for rapid training of nurses, clinical social workers at Carroll College
HELENA, Mont. – Following his announcement of a $6 million investment in rapid workforce training last week, Governor Greg Gianforte joined Carroll College President John Cech today to announce a portion of the funds will be used for the rapid training of nurses and clinical social workers at Carroll College.
“Montana’s health care system depends on a highly skilled workforce trained to deliver the highest quality of care to Montanans,” Governor Gianforte said. “Through our investment in the terrific training and upskilling opportunities here at Carroll, we’ll help address Montana’s longstanding health care worker shortage and build a stronger, more robust health care workforce for the future.”
Gov. Gianforte greets Carroll College President John Cech after touring the E.L. Wiegand Nursing Simulation Center on campus
A week ago, the state awarded a $6 million grant to Accelerate Montana, a collaborative partnership led by the University of Montana. Through partnerships with high schools and public, private, and tribal colleges across the state, Accelerate Montana is establishing a series of rapid retraining and upskilling programs to train up to 5,000 Montanans in sectors such as construction, health care, manufacturing, and infrastructure.
As a partner of Accelerate Montana, Carroll College received a $440,000 grant to provide scholarships for the College’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Social Work programs. The scholarships, 32 in all, will offset up to $12,500 of tuition and fee costs per student in these programs, which prepare students to enter high-wage, high-demand jobs in Montana’s health care sector.
Joining the governor to announce the scholarships on Carroll College’s campus, Dr. John Cech, president of Carroll College added, “I am grateful to Governor Gianforte for his commitment to support lifelong learners wanting to pursue a career in the allied health fields which Montana desperately needs.”
He continued, “The special and timely $12,500 scholarships for Carroll’s Accelerated Nursing RN program and our flexible and accessible online Master of Social Work program will help provide more urgently needed health professionals to serve Montana. I am appreciative of Governor Gianforte’s foresight in addressing the critical workforce needs in healthcare facing our state.”
Carroll’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed for students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing field. The 15-month program includes rigorous coursework and clinical experience that enables them to become a licensed Registered Nurse upon completion.
The College’s clinically focused Master of Social Work (MSW) program trains students to serve individuals, families, groups, and communities severely impacted by serious health, mental health and substance use challenges, poverty, and other societal problems.
“Carroll College has an impressive record of excellence in nursing and clinical education, and these programs show great promise for quickly training high-caliber care providers,” Montana Commissioner of Labor & Industry Laurie Esau said. “I’m pleased that these scholarships are among the first initiatives supported by Accelerate Montana. They’re a demonstration of the kind of innovative, proven training programs we seek to build upon to help employers across the state meet their workforce needs.”
Students will be eligible for the scholarships if they intend to work in Montana following graduation and based upon demonstrated financial need.
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