Virginia Career Works – Piedmont is proud to spotlight how partnerships create real opportunities for youth in our region. Through collaboration with Rappahannock Goodwill Industries and UVA Health’s Workforce Pipeline Development program, Wakefield Country Day School student Joel Baca turned his passion for medicine into hands-on experience.
Joel began volunteering at UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center during his junior year. With support from VCWP and Goodwill, he secured funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to complete his Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training and transition into a paid internship. This experience has allowed Joel to work across multiple hospital departments, assist with community engagement, analyze data, and even prepare for physician shadowing opportunities.
These programs provide job skills: They build confidence, clarify career paths, and strengthen the healthcare talent pipeline in our region. As Joel approaches graduation, his story demonstrates the impact of workforce partnerships in creating pathways for future healthcare leaders.
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