GRCA creates partnership to address health care challenges

To address the challenges facing health care organizations, the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is launching a new partnership. 

The Healthcare Connection Industry Partnership (IP) of the Greater Reading Region has been created to convene leaders in health care around shared challenges, opportunities and programming. 

The first meeting is set for June 30 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Center for Business Excellence, 49 Commerce Dr., Wyomissing. 

With the support of educational partners and workforce development organizations, GRCA said the public-private partnership will bring all stakeholders to the table to create solutions for sustainable change to ensure economic growth and success. 

GRCA said it is looking to engage senior executives and key stakeholders of healthcare organizations, educational partners, workforce and economic development organizations to identify shared issues and resources and work to create solutions and highlight educational pathways for the community.  

The funding for the IP came from the Berks County Workforce Development Board (WDB) who received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to create a Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership Program.  

This grant program was part of the COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Initiative and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The WDB has partnered with GRCA to create the IP.  

This is the second IP group that GRCA manages. It also convenes the Manufacturing Industry Partnership of the Greater Reading region quarterly to review current workforce trends, discuss educational needs and opportunities, and identify resources and speakers that support the work of this industry. 

 Both of these groups are part of GRCA’s overall strategy to help address workforce issues in the Greater Reading region.  

For more information contact Leah Fassnacht, director of Communications and Marketing, at [email protected] or by calling 610-898-7780.