The University of New Mexico Hospital, in collaboration with Future Focused Education, has embarked on a $1 million partnership aimed at supporting up to 65 paid healthcare internships annually for high school and recent graduates. The initiative, revealed by UNM Health Sciences, is designed to foster a new generation of healthcare professionals.
This partnership represents a multi-year commitment to promoting work-based learning (WBL) for young people, spanning from high school through post-high school education. According to a press release by UNM Health Sciences, the initiative ensures a continuous pathway for students, leading to certificates or degrees from New Mexico universities.
CEO of UNM Hospital, Kate Becker, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership in the press release. Becker said, "We really see this partnership as two big wins. We’re able to increase the number of professionals providing patient care and we are able to enrich our pipeline program that encourages high school and undergraduates to pursue health care careers."
The X3 internship program pairs students with local employers to ensure meaningful work experiences while also providing a monthly stipend. The X3 team offers comprehensive support to both mentors and employers as it collaborates with schools in historically underserved communities. This information is according to the X3 internships webpage provided by Future Focused Education.
Mike May, Director of Workforce Learning at Future Focused Education, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in another press release by UNM Health Sciences. May said, "New Mexico needs employers to invest in work-based learning opportunities before and after graduation, and UNMH is leading the way." He further explained that "The X3 model can be adapted to other parts of the state facing similar workforce challenges. The investment serves as a springboard for developing opportunities in rural and smaller communities outside the Albuquerque metro, encouraging creative approaches to cultivating young talent and attracting qualified professionals to underserved areas. We need to invest early to grow our own and retain that talent."
