Demand for healthcare-related jobs is high, yet unemployment within industry is still rising – Rio Grande Guardian

PHARR, TEXAS – Texas Workforce Commission has awarded a High Demand Job Training (HDJT) grant to Workforce Solutions and Rio Grande Valley College, with Pharr Economic Development Corporation matching the grant for a grand total of $299,364. 

The funding will help train over 40 individuals for high-demand occupations such as life scientists, occupational health and safety technicians, medical assistants, phlebotomists, in addition to up-skilling educators.

Alberto Treviño III, the labor representative on the Texas Workforce Commission, made a special appearance to present a HDJT grant of $149,364 to the Upper Rio Grande Valley’s Workforce Solutions, in partnership with Rio Grande Valley College and Pharr EDC to support the development of a skilled and sustainable healthcare workforce. Through this effort, Pharr EDC contributed a matching amount for a combined total of $300,000.

“This grant will help train students for a career in the medical industry while tackling the critical demand for healthcare workers,” Treviño said. “Community partnerships between education, employers, and workforce support pathways needed to prepare our future workforce.” 

The check presentations came at the start of a “Healthcare Sector Partnership 2024” forum co-hosted by Workforce Solutions and Pharr EDC. The event brought together healthcare professionals, educators, and economic development organizations to discuss strategies for bridging talent pipeline gaps and address critical needs in the healthcare industry. 

Pharr EDC President Victor Perez said his team was “thrilled” to have co-hosted the Healthcare Sector Partnership forum.

“Focusing on healthcare jobs is crucial for addressing shortages and aligning talent pipelines throughout our region,” Perez said. “We are proud to partner with RGV College and Workforce Solutions to help bring solutions and shape the future of healthcare in our community.”

A program produced for the event pointed out that healthcare is the largest industry in the four-county Valley region.

“The Healthcare Sector Partnership is a collaborative effort to address critical skills gaps in the Rio Grande Valley. The Lower Rio Workforce Development Board devotes strategic efforts to identify needs in the healthcare industry. This forum aims to bring various industry partners together to have important discussions about the most prevalent topics in healthcare today in the region,” a Workforce Solutions editorial in the program stated.

“As a development board, Workforce Solutions pays especially close attention to job shifts and patterns. The top job openings in the four-county region, which includes Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties are private duty nurses, registered nurses, medical assistants, medical surgical registered nurses, and licensed vocational nurses. The companies posting the most job openings include HCA Healthcare, Universal Health Services, and Doctor’s, Hospital at Renaissance.

“The demand for healthcare related jobs is considerably high, yet unemployment within this industry is still on the rise, showcasing the need for placement assistance into these occupations. The regional unemployment rate for this industry is at 25 percent, whereas the national unemployment rate for this industry is eight percent. 

“Especially after the COVID 19 pandemic, healthcare shortages have increased, which is why it is crucial now more than ever to leverage funding and resources for initiatives that advance healthcare education.”

Editor’s Note: Here, below, are four interviews from the event. The first interview features Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez and Julio Salinas, communications specialist for Workforce Solutions. The second interview features Dr. Annabelle Palomo, CEO and president of Rio Grande Valley College. The third interview features Workforce Solutions CEO Francisco Almaraz. And the fourth interview features TWC’s Treviño.

Ambrosio Hernandez and Julio Salinas

Dr. Annabelle Palomo

Workforce Solutions CEO Francisco Almaraz

Alberto Treviño III