QCC and UMass Memorial Medical Center recently celebrated their second class of medical assistant apprenticeships. Apprentices are able to continue earning a salary and benefits while advancing their career through the apprenticeship program.
"I knew I wanted to grow my career and make a difference in patients' lives, but I didn't realize how much the program would truly change me," said graduate Michael Opoku. "This experience built my clinical skills, confidence, and resilience. I'm proud of how far we've all come together."
Over 150 employees from various departments in the UMass system expressed interest in the 15 available spots for the medical assistant apprenticeship. Participants completed eight weeks of classroom time, 2,000 hours of on-the-job training, and passed the national certification exam.
"At QCC we believe deeply in the idea that talent is everywhere. It's opportunity and support that unlock it," said Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education Kathie Manning. "This program was not designed just to train for a job, it was designed to support a career path. As skills grow, so will wages. The combination of mentorship, real-world experience, structured learning, and wage progression is what makes apprenticeships so helpful."