Health IT Interoperability Apprenticeship Program will help meet evolving industry needs
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Interoperability Institute (IOI), a 501(c)(3) organization designed to provide the environments, data packs, personas, research and development, and workforce training to scale interoperability for the health information technology (IT) sector, has launched an innovative Health IT Interoperability Apprenticeship Program.
Created to build our future HIT workforce, the apprenticeship program offers hands-on training,
mentorship, and skills development opportunities for people who wish to advance within the field.
During the 12-month apprenticeship program, apprentices work 20-29 hours per week and follow a
hybrid curriculum that includes on-the-job training and related technical instruction.
“As the sharing of health information expands nationally, so do the demands for a skilled workforce,”
said Mary Kratz, Executive Vice President of Interoperability Institute. “IOI developed the Health IT
Interoperability Apprenticeship Program to address the rapidly widening talent gap and ensure the
talent supply meets the healthcare industry’s current and emerging needs. Our approach provides a very
specialized curriculum with direct real-world applications and prepares apprentices for the field in a way
that provides unique hands-on experiences within the health IT space.”
Launched in July, the apprenticeship program is currently training its first cohort. Comprised of eight
apprentices, the program has a national footprint, with apprentices spread across the U.S. IOI is actively
engaging with several vendors to train apprentices towards certification. To date, each student has
completed over 70 hours of instructional training, including earning high in-demand health IT
certifications.
“We have heard from industry partners and know firsthand that it is difficult to find qualified health IT
professionals,” said Brandi Briones, Senior Program Manager of Workforce Development. “Building off
the lessons learned in our Workforce Development Program, we designed the Apprenticeship Program
to help address the existing talent gap and build awareness at critical stages along the talent pipeline.
The program will provide life-changing opportunities, help to diversify our workforce, and give us access
to an even bigger pool of talented, qualified, motivated people.”
Organizations looking to build their accreditations and those looking for partners to help train their
workforce, please contact Brandi Briones at workforcedevelopment@interoperabilityinstitute.org