CVS Health teams up with HCC to create Registered Apprenticeships in Houston Area
Sep 17, 2015
In partnership with Houston Community College (HCC), CVS Health will develop and launch a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship program for 385 pharmacy technicians in the Greater Houston area. CVS Health will expand its Registered Apprenticeship for Pharmacy Technicians and Lead Technicians to retail pharmacy stores in both Houston and Dallas. In addition, the company will create a new Registered Apprenticeship program for Pharmacy Technicians at the CVS/caremark Call Center in Dallas.
An American Apprenticeship Grant from the DOL will allow HCC and CVS Health to offer pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships to eligible participants. After completing a four-week pre-apprenticeship with CVS Health, students from Houston Community College and the Dallas County Community College District will be eligible for hire at CVS/pharmacy stores and the CVS/caremark Call Center. CVS Health apprentices will receive job-related technical instruction, professional mentorship, and on-the-job learning. Pre-apprenticeship hours will be applied towards DOL apprenticeship requirements. Apprentices will be eligible for community college credits.
“CVS Health recognizes the important role apprenticeships have in helping individuals achieve career and economic success, and developing a strong workforce,” said David Casey, vice president, Workforce Strategies, and Chief Diversity Officer for CVS Health. “We’re pleased to be able to partner with Houston Community College and the Dallas County Community College District to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers, and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of talented colleagues in the Houston and Dallas area.”
In addition to grant funding, CVS Health is investing more than $14 million in in-kind contributions to support the Registered Apprenticeship program expansion. The company will provide resources such as equipment, training spaces, instructors, on-the-job learning activities, mentors, and supervisory staff. CVS Health colleagues will also provide feedback to pre-apprentices and apprentices on skill and competency development and offer training to upgrade workers’ digital skills in meeting the demands of new consumer technology applications.
“By creating more opportunities and job-driven training initiatives through hands-on apprenticeships, where workers earn and learn at the same time, we are increasing the relevancy of training and education and building career pathways to secure jobs,” said Dr. Madeline Burillo, interim president, Southwest College, who served as Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Instruction.