JVS of MetroWest
Healthcare employers across the greater Newark area are facing persistent staffing shortages, particularly for entry-level roles like Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and EKG/Phlebotomy Technicians. At the same time, many local residents face barriers to completing healthcare credentialling courses. While they may be interested in careers in the growing healthcare sector, many face unreliable transportation, childcare gaps, housing instability, and limited access to affordable training.
To improve this situation, in 2025 and 2026 HFNJ provided two grants totaling $350,000 to fund Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest’s (JVS) Healthcare Employment Pathways program. The program trains individuals to receive stackable, entry-level healthcare credentials and helps place them in jobs, all while providing the wraparound support many participants need to succeed.
In its first year, JVS built a Certified Nursing Assistant training program from the ground up, developing a state-approved curriculum and partnering with Drea Academy to secure qualified instructors. In year two, the program expanded further, launching a dual EKG Technician/Phlebotomy Technician track with curriculum approved by the National Healthcareer Association. This gave participants a second pathway into healthcare careers. Every participant receives an Individual Employment Plan, case management, career coaching, and job placement support tailored to their needs.
In the first year of the grant, 52 individuals enrolled in the CNA program and 45 completed training, for an impressive 87% completion rate. In year two, a second CNA cohort enrolled 26 participants, 18 of whom completed the program, with 10 employed within months of completion. The inaugural EKG/Phlebotomy cohort enrolled 19 participants, with 17 on track to sit for national certification. Strong community demand has already filled the next CNA and EKG/Phlebotomy cohorts for the second half of 2026, and JVS has forged new clinical partnerships, including with the New York Blood Center, to expand hands-on training and job opportunities for graduates.
HFNJ’s investment has also allowed JVS to look for long-term methods to sustain the programming. They have applied for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding, and are developing a fee-for-service model to diversify revenue.
With a growing base of employer partners and two credential pathways now up and running, HFNJ’s investment has helped position JVS to keep building a pipeline of skilled, credentialed healthcare workers for employers, and stable and in-demand careers for residents of the greater Newark area.