Healthcare employers are slowly clawing out of the talent shortage trench. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care has added an average of 42,000 jobs per month so far this year. That said, healthcare employers still face an ongoing talent shortage to fill positions.  

A stunning 96% of workers across industries were looking for a new position at the start of 2023, largely seeking better pay, according to January survey results from Monster.com. By mid-year, only 32% of workers indicated that they started a new role.  

What accounts for the difference?  

Some job seekers aren’t finding jobs that match their skill set. People seeking a new job may also encounter a disconnect between the compensation and benefits that employers offer and what they want. If these variables don’t align, prospective new hires are not making the leap.  

What does this mean for healthcare employers?  

Human resources and talent acquisition specialists are likely not able to find enough candidates from outside the healthcare industry with the right skill set. Perhaps the answer is to look at existing employees.  

Provide Healthcare Career Growth Opportunities to Retain High Performers 

Upskilling is a viable alternative and smart strategy to offset the shortage of external candidates. 

Norbert Marek, people and culture partner at HR Hints, told Monster.com, “Providing a clear path for advancement can help attract ambitious individuals looking for long-term growth. Employers can also support their workers’ learning and development by offering mentorship programs, creating personalized development plans, providing access to training resources and courses, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to employee growth and development, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and retention.” 

Jason Leverant, president and chief operating officer at AtWork Group added, “Upskilling is another way to do this. By offering real, tangible opportunities for your employees to develop new skills and enhance the skills they already have, they build stronger ties to your organization. It helps with attraction, engagement, and retention.” 

Upskill Through UMKC TalentLink and MedCerts

Powered by our partner MedCerts, UMKC TalentLink offers more than 30 allied healthcare programs well-suited to an upskilling program. Hospitals, clinics, private practices, and healthcare systems can develop in-house employees and offer a pathway for professional growth.

The online programs are flexible and on-demand. Employees can build new skills when it makes the most sense for them. In-house talent can complete training while remaining employed and contributing to the organization.  

After completion of the program, the employee can receive industry-standard certifications in their chosen field and become credentialed. Employees gain a pathway to attain education that prepares them for better-paying in-house roles. 

Using funding allotted for professional development and training, human resource specialists can help employees use this benefit.  

Employers should play up their programs to upskill not only for existing employees but also for potential new hires, especially younger workers and recent graduates. 
 
Finding a company that provides job training, career coaching, and room to grow is incredibly important to Gen Z. Monster’s 2023 State of the Graduate report indicates that 54% of new graduates would turn down a job at a company that doesn’t offer career growth opportunities (up 33% from 2022). 

Employers can apply upskilling as a powerful tool to attract and retain talent. Filling positions with proven employees is a smart strategy. After all, they are already familiar with the culture, best practices, and coworkers in the workplace.  

Consider upskilling as a way to fill a gateway role, a transition point for talent development that offers both skill growth and experience acquisition. In healthcare, a gateway role may not necessarily require a degree, but earning a certification can demonstrate a person’s level of knowledge and achievement. As the employee grows professionally, they also develop durable and transferable skills that make them more valuable to an organization. 
 
Upskilling through UMKC TalentLink and MedCerts is a sensible approach to invest in employees at the early stage of their professional path and retain high performers.