The Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment, the state-designated group charged with aiding Wisconsin employers in finding the workers they need and providing resources to enable workers to access training for in-demand careers, met August 27, 2024, hosted by council member, Thomas Miller, President of Aurora BayCare Medical Center.
Hosting the Governor’s Council at Aurora BayCare’s Green Bay site allowed the council to see and hear firsthand about the innovative work hospitals and health systems are doing with their partners in education and government to grow, recruit, retain and support the health care workforce. The day’s agenda included a presentation on a Wisconsin Department of Workforce (DWD) Workforce Innovation Grant project to increase nursing clinical instructor capacity by partnering with hospitals and health systems to create an affiliate faculty model to allow hospital nurses to serve as clinical instructors. This model has allowed the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay pre-licensure nursing program, launched in 2019, to double their enrollment in less than five years.
The council also had an opportunity to visit Aurora BayCare Medical Simulation and Education Center for hands on experience in how simulation and technology is being utilized to provide learning opportunities for students and staff.
Members of the council include business leaders, state legislators and local elected officials, representatives from educational institutions, community-based organizations and labor representatives from across the state. In addition to Miller, Wisconsin health care is represented by WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice
Ann Zenk.