FVTC matches immigrant students with regional employers that need certified nursing assistants.

Whenever a large community initiative goes into full gear, Fox Valley Technical College is often involved in some capacity. The FVTC Foundation, the college’s Global Education & Services department and Health division represent the latest project—one of global proportions.

Working with area health care providers and English Language Learning students at FVTC, the college developed the New Americans initiative to fill growing demands for qualified nursing assistants. “We knew of students, domestic and international, who wanted to enter the health care field and were already studying English at Fox Valley Tech,” states Barb Tuchscherer, department chair of FVTC’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. “Several have had health care or other professional experience in their home country but could not afford the tuition to enroll in our CNA program.”

Tuchscherer credits the synergy between the FVTC Foundation and Global Education & Services for the success of the project. “Together they made it possible for us to locate sponsors to pay for tuition as well as find and enroll deserving applicants,” adds Tuchscherer. “Sponsors currently include St. Paul Elder Services, Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh, Evergreen Retirement Community and Valley VNA Senior Services.”

The 15-week program started during the spring 2016 semester at both FVTC’s Appleton and Oshkosh campuses. Classes cover theory, lab and clinical experience. Tuition, books and other expenses are paid for qualified students by the sponsoring employers.

“This initiative is a win-win for everyone because it involves participation from industry, education, and all corners of the world,” says Tuchscherer.