Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) has received a generous grant from the Community Foundation Tampa Bay to support aspiring Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprentices in Tampa, Florida. The $25,000 grant aims to eliminate financial barriers that often hinder apprentices from successfully completing their training and entering the workforce, particularly among low-income, minority, and underserved students.
By providing critical financial resources, the grant will assist qualifying apprentices with essential necessities such as childcare, housing, utilities, food, and transportation. These supports are crucial for overcoming obstacles that can prevent individuals from pursuing advanced career training programs.
The EMT Apprenticeship Program, a collaborative effort between UMA and The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (CCTB), aims to address the critical shortage of certified EMTs in the Tampa Bay area. Through robust recruitment and comprehensive support services, including career counseling and professional development, the program not only addresses workforce shortages but also promotes diversity within healthcare professions. Apprentices in the program simultaneously earn an EMT diploma from UMA while completing the CCTB’s apprenticeship program.
The demand for EMTs in Tampa Bay is rapidly increasing due to the region’s booming population. CareerSource Tampa Bay’s Regional Demand Occupations List identifies EMT as a highly sought-after profession, with an expected growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2026. However, the supply of EMTs has remained stagnant or declined, causing a growing number of vacancies. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of eligible EMTs for hire in Tampa Bay decreased by 11%.
“We recognize that many individuals, especially adult learners, face significant challenges when pursuing education and career growth, such as finding reliable childcare or accessible transportation,” said Bridget Hyde, UMA’s vice president of research and development. “Thanks to the Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s grant, we can remove these obstacles for those in need, enabling them to contribute to essential healthcare jobs in our community.”
UMA will exclusively allocate the funds to support learners in the EMT Apprenticeship Program. This holistic approach to job training and employment opportunities aligns with the Community Foundation Tampa Bay’s mission of enhancing the economic mobility of Tampa Bay residents. Dr. Katie Shultz, the foundation’s senior director of community investments, emphasized that the grant’s support services, including transportation, rent/utility assistance, food, and childcare, are vital in removing barriers to program completion.
To learn more about the EMT Apprenticeship Program and UMA’s initiatives, please visit ultimatemedical.edu.
About Ultimate Medical Academy:
Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) is a nonprofit educational institution accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools. With a strong focus on meeting the growing demand for skilled healthcare workers, UMA equips and empowers students to make a difference in the healthcare field. In addition to diploma and degree programs, UMA collaborates closely with healthcare companies to offer students direct access to job opportunities. With a 30-year presence in Tampa, Florida, UMA provides hands-on learning at its main campus and interactive online programs. The institution supports students throughout their journey, offering academic support, interview coaching, job search assistance, and technical support. UMA boasts over 85,000 alumni and more than 14,000 students nationwide. They also offer certified continuing medical education (CME) programs for medical professionals in the U.S.
About Community Foundation Tampa Bay:
Community Foundation Tampa Bay is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant and prosperous community through transformative leadership and philanthropy. Since 1990, they have been connecting people, ideas, and resources to create lasting impact in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties.
In addition to the information provided in the article, there are several facts and current market trends that can be discussed regarding the topic of the Tampa Bay grant supporting EMT apprenticeships and fostering diversity in healthcare.
1. Current market trend: Increasing demand for EMTs in Tampa Bay
The demand for EMTs in Tampa Bay is rapidly increasing due to the region’s booming population. According to CareerSource Tampa Bay’s Regional Demand Occupations List, EMT is identified as a highly sought-after profession, with an expected growth rate of 10% from 2021 to 2026. This indicates a strong need for qualified EMTs in the area.
2. Key challenge: Shortage of certified EMTs in Tampa Bay
Despite the increasing demand, the supply of certified EMTs in Tampa Bay has remained stagnant or declined. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of eligible EMTs for hire in Tampa Bay decreased by 11%. This shortage of EMTs has resulted in a growing number of vacancies in healthcare organizations in the region.
3. Advantages of the grant: Eliminating financial barriers for apprentices
The $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation Tampa Bay aims to eliminate financial barriers that often hinder apprentices from successfully completing their EMT training. By providing support for essential necessities such as childcare, housing, utilities, food, and transportation, the grant helps remove obstacles that can prevent individuals, particularly low-income, minority, and underserved students, from pursuing advanced career training programs.
4. Disadvantage: Limited funding for apprenticeship programs
While the grant offers crucial financial support for EMT apprentices, funding for apprenticeship programs can sometimes be limited. This means that not all apprentices may have access to the necessary resources and support services to complete their training. Additional funding and resources are needed to ensure that more individuals can benefit from these apprenticeship opportunities.
Overall, the grant supporting EMT apprenticeships in Tampa Bay addresses the critical shortage of certified EMTs in the region and promotes diversity within healthcare professions. By providing financial support to apprentices, the grant helps remove barriers to program completion and enables individuals to contribute to essential healthcare jobs in the community.
For more information about the EMT Apprenticeship Program and Ultimate Medical Academy’s initiatives, you can visit their website: ultimatemedical.edu.
To learn more about the Community Foundation Tampa Bay and their efforts to enhance the economic mobility of Tampa Bay residents, you can visit their website: cftampabay.org.