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FBI releases classified ‘Patel Report’ examining past failures at the bureau
The FBI has released a classified report to the workforce examining what it says are chapters from the bureau’s history when it "fell short." That's according to an internal message
Ivey touts Alabama's ranking among top 10 states for doing business
Officials pointed to low costs, tax advantages and workforce investments as Alabama climbed in a national business climate report.
MOESC business advisory council highlights workforce programs and 2026-2027 meetings
The Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Business Advisory Council met Wednesday, according to an MOESC press release.
SCC partners with local businesses, school districts to build workforce pipeline
Educational leaders and area employers are joining forces to better prepare Columbus County students for high-demand local careers.
UN Decade of Healthy Ageing midpoint report finds progress, calls for greater investment
New evidence in the Secretary-General's report to the 81st UN General Assembly, prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in coordination with the UN system, finds more countries acting on healthy ageing than ever before – but longer lives will not become healthy, dignified ones without faster, more sustained investment at country level.(NEW YORK, 28 September 2026) The Secretary-General transmitted to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly the mid-term progress report on the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030), marking the midpoint of the ten-year global effort to improve the lives of older people. The report was prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in coordination with the UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing and with inputs from thirteen UN entities, the World Bank Group and civil society partners. It finds real progress in countries – and persistent gaps that must close before 2030.The number of people aged 60 and over passed 1 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, with the fastest growth in low- and middle-income countries. Longer lives are not automatically healthy ones: globally, the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy at age 60 widened between 2000 and 2023, and an estimated 71% of excess deaths from COVID-19 between 2020 and 2023 were among people aged 60 and over. “Longer lives are one of humanity’s great achievements, but we cannot congratulate ourselves while leaving millions without health and support,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director, Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO. “The first half of the Decade has shown what is possible. The second half must be about scaling and financing the progress to meet the needs and rights of older persons.”Real progress, unevenly sharedThe report finds that more countries than ever now have legislation against age-based discrimination – up from 44.5% in 2018 to 57.7% today – and over half now have national long-term care policies, up from 49% in 2023 to 56.7%, dedicated programmes to build age-friendly environments (54.6%), and comprehensive health and social assessments of older people (54.6%). New WHO guidance on services for long-term care and for Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) delivered in communities is enabling systemic change as an increasing number of countries incorporate these services within national universal health care benefit packages. A host of UN agencies and other partners support training, increasing health workforce competencies and use of digital health tools.“This report shows the Decade of Healthy Ageing is working,” said Dr Ritu Sadana, Head of the WHO Secretariat for the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. “More countries are legislating against ageism, providing integrated care, strengthening long-term care systems, and creating age-friendly environments than ever before, in all regions and income levels. But progress is uneven and in one area, regressive: fewer countries report active multi-stakeholder forums on ageing, down from 53.1% in 2020 to 43.3% today. The second half of this Decade must turn commitments into results, in every country.”The financing gap: this Decade's binding constraintFinancing remains the binding constraint: more than a third of reporting countries (33.8%) have very little or no dedicated resources to develop long-term care, with similar shortfalls across the Decade’s other priority areas. Less than half of countries (45.4%) have legislation providing access to assistive devices (including hearing aids, spectacles or rollators), which are key to enabling older people to maintain productive, independent and dignified lives. Only 22.7% of countries can track older people’s health over time – the largest gap across the Decade’s core progress indicators. Nationally representative information is needed in each country, as policies and interventions cannot be designed as if all older adults of a given age share similar needs and capacities. The report calls for sustained investment through national budgets, country-owned plans, development cooperation and innovative financing mechanisms to fully close these gaps by 2030.“The Decade was designed as a whole-of-UN effort, and this report shows it in action,” said Amal Abou Rafeh, Chief of the Programme on Ageing Section at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and Permanent Co-Chair of the UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing. “Thirteen UN entities, the World Bank group and civil society organizations contributed to this report, with WHO as the lead technical and implementing agency. That is the model of coordination the second half of the Decade will need to scale, with countries leading legislation, funding and implementation, engaging older people.”“Investing in healthy ageing is not simply a cost; it is one of the highest-return investments a government can make,” said Fiona Stewart, Global Lead for Ageing and Pensions at the World Bank Group. “Countries that invest early in integrated and long-term care see savings that outweigh the upfront cost many times over. The evidence in this report makes the economic case; what is now needed is predictable financing at country level to act on it, along with efforts to support older entrepreneurs and the silver economy.”Older people's own voicesThe report also draws on the direct experience of older people themselves, including a multilingual global survey conducted by the International Federation on Ageing that reached more than 1000 older people across 58 countries. WHO and UN partners called on Member States to use the second half of the Decade to accelerate implementation, strengthen data systems, and secure the financing needed so that the gains of longer lives reach older people everywhere. About the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030)Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 2020, the Decade is a global collaboration bringing together governments, UN agencies, civil society, the private sector, academia and older people themselves to improve the lives of older people, their families and communities. It is coordinated by the World Health Organization together with the UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing. The Decade's mid-term progress report was transmitted to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General, prepared by WHO, and is available in 6 languages.Full Report available: A/81/366 Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030): Note by Secretary-General [ العربية | 中文 | English | Français | Pусский | Español
Health care affordability tops survey of Michigan small business owners ahead of midterm elections
Taxes and workforce availability were also high on the list.
Health care affordability tops survey of Michigan small business owners ahead of midterm elections
Taxes and workforce availability were also high on the list.
Sandhills Community College Small Business Center expands to Moore and Hoke Counties
Small Business Center Director, Laura Kinsman. Photo provided by: SCCSandhills Community College (SCC) is launching a redesigned Small Business Center model that expands no-cost entrepreneurial support across Moore and Hoke Counties. Rooted in the College’s commitment to strengthening small businesses and entrepreneurship as drivers of economic growth, the enhanced model is led by recently appointed Small Business Center Director, Laura Kinsman. The model also includes two new Senior Business Advisors who will provide trusted expertise, stronger community connections, and individualized guidance to entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the region.Kinsman brings a unique perspective to the director’s role as both a local business owner, operating in downtown Southern Pines, and a former Moore County educator. “Her combination of education, business ownership, leadership, and community involvement make her a great fit for the Small Business Center and the work we are continuing to build across Moore and Hoke counties,” said Taylor L. McCaskill, senior director of Workforce Development & Corporate Partnerships in a press release.Kinsman is an active member of the Southern Pines Business Association and has been connected to the Sandhills Small Business Center since the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey. She looks forward to building on that experience by strengthening the Center’s partnerships and expanding its connections throughout the community.She will lead the Center's efforts to support entrepreneurs and business owners throughout Moore and Hoke County and be the connector to the North Carolina Community College System Small Business Center Network operations. The Center offers no-cost, confidential one-on-one counseling, practical workshops, and connections to the resources and partners that help local businesses start, grow, and create jobs.A key part of this new approach, only offered at SCC, is a network of Senior Business Advisors, experienced professionals who will provide individualized guidance in areas such as business planning, finance, marketing, operations, growth strategy, and problem-solving. These advisors will serve as trusted partners to entrepreneurs and business owners, helping them turn ideas into action, overcome barriers, strengthen existing businesses, and pursue new opportunities. This one-on-one counseling is available at no cost, ensuring that high-quality business support is accessible to entrepreneurs at every stage.Senior Business Advisor for Hoke County, Kenna Parks. Photo provided by: SCCKenna Parks has been named the senior business advisor for Hoke County. She is a business professional, entrepreneur, and educator who brings a unique combination of academic training and real-world business experience. She earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2017 and has built her career around entrepreneurship, marketing, business development, and helping others turn ideas into sustainable opportunities.Senior Business Advisor for Moore County, Katrin Henderson. Photo provided by: SCCAs a military spouse, she has successfully launched and operated businesses across five states, giving her firsthand experience in adapting to diverse markets, building new customer bases and understanding the importance of global reach in today’s business environment. Over the last decade, her areas of focus include business planning, marketing strategy, branding, customer development, financial preparedness, operational planning and connecting entrepreneurs with educational programs and community resources.Parks brings an especially valuable perspective to business advising because she is an entrepreneur herself. She is the owner of Glamo Society Bridal & Formal Wear in Raeford, N.C., giving her firsthand experience with the realities of launching, operating, marketing and growing a small business. She understands that entrepreneurship extends far beyond developing a great idea; it requires strategy, financial awareness, adaptability, strong customer relationships, and consistent execution.Katrin Henderson will serve as the senior business advisor for Moore County. Thriving in hospitality and retail, Henderson has enjoyed positions in Food & Beverage Management and Retail Management in various fine dining and retail establishments in the area, before opening her own children's shop in 2015, in the Village of Pinehurst. She is a native of Moore County.Quickly immersing herself in this new world of small business ownership, Henderson joined various boards and committees, including President Elect of Pinehurst Business Partners and Event Chair for the Holly Arts & Crafts Festival. She also partnered with local organizations such as Moore County Economic Development and Moore County Chamber of Commerce and Sandhills Community College Small Business Center in events and educational opportunities. In 2026, Henderson sold her shop and now offers full-time support to both new and seasoned entrepreneurs through freelance consulting mentorship and the SCC Small Business Center program.The Small Business Center team is passionate about making business resources more accessible, and ensuring entrepreneurs know they do not have to navigate business ownership alone. Through their work with SCC, they are committed to building meaningful relationships with local businesses, community organizations, and industry partners while helping entrepreneurs move from idea to strategy, strategy to action, and action to sustainable growth.“Sandhills Community College believes deeply in the power of small business and entrepreneurship because strong local businesses create jobs, spark innovation, generate investment, and strengthen the communities we serve,” said McCaskill in press release. “Through this new Small Business Center model, Sandhills is building a stronger ecosystem where entrepreneurs can connect, grow, and thrive, while helping drive long-term economic vitality throughout our region.”To learn more about the Center's services or to schedule a consultation, please contact Kinsman directly at kinsmanl@sandhills.edu or 910-695-3938.
Oklahoma officials highlight rural health program’s first-year progress
Oklahoma is expanding rural healthcare access through new funding for workforce development, technology and medical services.
Animal Science Program to develop workforce for animal-related industries and livestock production
University launches Animal Science degree to support Nevada's livestock and agricultural industries
Japan can lead the world in making preventive health pay
This op-ed argues that Japan, as the world's first super-aging society, can set a global standard for how prevention protects health, workers, and prosperity. Preventive health must be treated as core economic infrastructure for sustaining workforce participation and fiscal stability.
Hampton Roads workforce and entrepreneur development
The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding Founded in 1919, The Apprentice School in Newport News has graduated more than 11,000 apprentices over
GO TEC survives funding shortfall
Go TEC, a Virginia vocational education program, survives after losing state funding, relying on other sources to sustain and expand its workforce pipeline.
Disney cuts hundreds of jobs across multiple departments: report
Disney is laying off hundreds of employees across HR and tech in its latest workforce reduction under new CEO Josh D'Amaro amidst company restructuring.
Innovative country experiences show how primary health care can accelerate health system transformation in the Americas
Barbados, Bolivia, the Dominican Republic and Guyana shared experiences on strengthening Primary Health Care through targeted actions in health workforce, services organization and system’s planning during the 63rd PAHO Directing Council.Washington, D.C., 29 September, 2026 (PAHO) – Innovative approaches to transform health systems based on primary health care (PHC) were highlighted today during a briefing session at the 63rd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Operational Drift is Risky Business for Power Generators
Power generation operators are navigating a major workforce transition at the same time operations and maintenance (O&M) work is becoming more
Rural Colorado communities getting healthcare upgrades with $170M in federal grants
Grant funding will benefit 250 projects aimed at strengthening rural Colorado’s healthcare workforce, equipment and services
A majority of Oklahoma's behavioral healthcare workforce is part-time, analysis says
Oklahomans seeking mental healthcare may struggle to locate a provider. Finding someone available to see clients full-time is even harder.
State awards nearly $170 million to rural healthcare providers
Colorado is awarding nearly $170 million in federal grants to rural healthcare providers across 52 counties to expand telehealth, strengthen the workforce and improve access to care.
One of Kash Patel’s deputies resigns from the FBI
Andrew Bailey, a senior FBI official and former Republican politician, told the agency’s workforce early Monday that he is resigning to spend more time with his family, according to two sources familiar with this departure.
Kazakhstan nuclear scientists showcase industry potential and workforce capabilities
Scientists and industry experts highlighted Kazakhstan's scientific, technological, and human resource potential in the nuclear sector during the international conference “Atom of the Future,” Qazinform News Agency reports.
NinjaTech AI Launches Enterprise AI Workforce Platform Using Open-Weight Models
Built to end runaway per-token AI costs, the platform deploys into the customer’s own cloud and data centers, so data never leaves their control PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 28, 2026 — NinjaTech AI today launched SuperNinja Enterprise, an AI workforce platform that puts AI employees to work around the clock inside the customer’s own cloud, on […]
Axios Live: Utah's health worker shortage is more than a numbers problem
Utah's health care workforce shortage reflects gaps in pay, clinical training and access to career pathways
The Healthcare Workforce Gap Is Set to Nearly Double by 2040
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 28, 2026--
Business Education Council builds Wyoming County workforce
For businesses across Wyoming County, one question matters more every year: Where will our next generation of employees come from?
Union: CDC Lost a Third of Its Workforce In One Year
Under Trump 2.0, the country's premier public health agency has been "zombified."
Political Pulse: Rep. Steve Duffy campaigns on Rapid City workforce development and retention in District 32
GOP incumbent Rep. Steve Duffy shares why workforce housing, keeping young families in Rapid City, and smart growth are central to his District 32 reelection bid.
Maritime industry discussed at roundtable in Anacortes
ANACORTES — Members of Skagit County’s maritime workforce, county leaders and economic development groups gathered to discuss the future of the maritime industry Friday at the Seafarers Memorial Park Building
The Responsibility of Leadership
Leadership today requires more than delivering business results. Organizations are navigating unprecedented complexity, from economic uncertainty and workforce transformation to growing expectations around corporate citizenship and community impact. At the same time, communities are looking for leaders across sectors to help address challenges that no single institution can solve alone. For Greg Cunningham, leadership has
How Harvard scientists built genomics outpost on Gloucester harbor
It started with idea to help beleaguered fishermen. Now marine science lab promotes healthy fisheries, trains local workforce, seeks clues to longevity
Public invited to Lifestyle Medicine at Work
The South Carolina Healthy Business Coalition’s Fall Seminar Series will explore how Lifestyle Medicine can support prevention, workforce wellbeing, and healthier workplace cultures.
Business & Education Partner at Unique CTE Center - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.—A career and technical education Center in Klamath County is bringing high school students, healthcare employers and higher education together to build the region’s future workforce. It started with a simple idea, get students into the workforce and give Klamath Falls-area employers a chance to prepare them. The Career and Technical Education Regional […]
Arkansas Invests 54 Million to Boost Rural Health and Workforce in 54 New Projects
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced $54.6 million in new rural health funding for 54 projects across Arkansas Thursday, including eight awards totaling more than $5 million for projects serving Southeast Arkansas. Jefferson Hospital Association received two awards totaling $1.03 million. Of that amount, $360,000 will […]
Certified Nurse-Midwife Practice Authority as a Structural Determinant of Maternal Health
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) provide evidence-based maternity care associated with improved birth outcomes, yet half of US states do not grant them independent practice authority. State scope-of-practice regulations may function as structural determinants of maternal health by constraining both the midwifery workforce and the conditions under which care is delivered.
Considering a healthcare career? Check out these sessions
The IU Health workforce training organization is adding an orientation to help Indianapolis residents get connected with jobs in healthcare.
Ohio State welcomes business leaders to campus to strengthen relationships
The Ohio State University is committed to working with the statewide business community on workforce development and advancing innovation and development, President Ravi V. Bellamkonda said during a recent meeting of the Columbus Partnership.“We have some bold things happening,” he said. “We are reimagining business education. We’re reim...
Pharr Global Business Hub Expands Workforce Training With Skills-to-Certification Program
The Pharr Global Business Hub is expanding workforce development efforts through a “Skills to Certification” program offering training in blueprint reading, estimating, workplace safety and preparation for the electrical journeyman examination.
MGCCC holds ribbon-cutting for Health Professions Building
The event celebrated the facility and its role in supporting health professions education and workforce preparation at MGCCC.
Square Integrates Apple Business to Help Local Businesses Stand Out on Apple Maps
DISTRIBUTED-WORKFORCE/OAKLAND, Calif., September 24, 2026--Square today announced a new integration with Apple that enables Square sellers to connect their locations to Apple Business from their Square Dashboard, so they can seamlessly manage and synchronize key business location information that appears on Apple Maps. Rather than managing multiple channels separately, sellers can now maintain their Apple presence alongside the rest of their business in Square. The integration makes it easier fo
Healey proposes new Health Care Stabilization Fund
Gov. Maura Healey filed a $2.24 billion supplemental budget Wednesday that would pump more money into the workforce that supports SNAP benefit recipients and establish a new healthcare fund as the …
Federal immigration policy may be worsening Wisconsin’s caregiver shortage, leaders say
An immigration crackdown is weakening an already struggling workforce that helps care for Wisconsin's older adults and disabled population.
Health Care Partnership outlines workforce progress
More local nursing graduates are staying in the region, according to officials offering an update on the progress of the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership at a public forum last night. According to Jack Watson, dean of UNCW’s College of Health & Human Services, the number of UNCW nursing graduates choosing to remain in the area after graduation has climbed from 27% to the mid-40% range. The New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership aims to address the region’s healthcare worker shortage, with a key focus on nursing through strategic partnerships between UNCW, Cape Fear Community College (CFCC), New Hanover County Schools and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "Each of the partners had pathway programs,” said Watson, “but they were almost at times done in a silo." One of the New Hanover Community Endowment's largest commitments to date, the collaborative received a $22.3 million grant in 2023, to be disbursed over three years, beginning in 2024. At the public forum, leadership addressed the nursing bottleneck created by the pandemic, and Laurie Whalin, president of the Novant Health Coastal Region, acknowledged that Novant Health had relied heavily on travel nurses during that period, with travel nurses making up about 47% of staff and nursing turnover at 35% at the height of the pandemic. "I can say we are in a tremendously different place today,” Whalin said at the forum. The number of travel nurses employed by the Novant Health Coastal Region has dropped to around 100 today, which Whalin says accounts for less than 4% of the workforce. Roughly two years into the grant term, major stakeholders in the collaboration pointed to various accomplishments tied to the initiative. According to Stephen Hill, vice president of talent development with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, 250 more nurses live in New Hanover County in 2026 than in 2023. Whalin added that between 2021 and 2025, the Novant Health Coastal Region has hired close to 1,200 registered nurses. Additionally, according to Whalin, over the past two years, hiring and retention of nursing graduates from UNCW increased by 103%, while hiring and retention of nursing graduates from CFCC increased by 70%. Mandy Mills, director of career & technical education at New Hanover County Schools, pointed to the launch of its first Health Sciences Academy program, established across the county's four traditional high schools (Hoggard High School, Laney High School, Ashley High School and New Hanover High School), which started with 38 students last year. Mills also pointed to growth in the district’s Nursing Fundamentals course, which grew from 10 seats in 2023 to 50 in 2025-2026 and is now offered at all four traditional high schools. Watson emphasized the growing nursing class sizes and offered an update on the school’s accelerated nursing degree, which launched last year. Eleven students graduated in the first class, and all passed their boards on the first try, Watson said. This year’s class has 24 students. When the endowment announced its $22.3 million grant for the collaborative in 2023, UNCW and CFCC were each slated to receive the bulk of the funds, at about $10 million each. UNCW’s plans for the grant money included expanding its simulation lab, Watson said. He added that construction is expected to begin on the simulation lab this year and will likely extend through next year. According to Mary Ellen Naylor, dean of Health & Human Services at CFCC, the college has experienced growth in its associate degree nursing retention, rising from 59% in 2023 to 76% for the May 2026 class. CFCC used part of its endowment funding to support wraparound services, including a housing stipend, tuition assistance, exam assistance, emergency assistance, drop-in daycare and clinical and educational supplies. "We have very strong … students, but once they get into the program, there are competing priorities,” Naylor said. “They are working multiple jobs. They have children. They're single parents." According to Naylor, in 2026, 94% of students who used support services are still enrolled or have graduated. Addressing a question from an audience member about an approaching “enrollment cliff,” driven largely by dropping birth rates, Watson and Naylor said demand remains strong at both schools. “Right now … we do have more applicants than we have spots in our nursing program, and it is still a competitive process to get into,” Watson said. “I do not foresee that changing.” "(We've) doubled enrollment in our nursing programs over the last few years, but just as Dean Watson said, we still have very robust applicant pools, so it is still very competitive to get in,” Naylor said. "We have the applicant pool to support that, but again, it's not as easy as just saying, 'Okay … we're going to take another 90 students.' It's making sure all the resources and infrastructure that we need to educate the students outside the classroom is there as well." In response to a question about applying the collaborative model to other healthcare positions besides nursing, Sophie Dagenais, CEO and president of the endowment, said she sees the potential for the model to expand to other healthcare jobs and even other industries, but that the endowment hopes to learn from this model first. “This is a grant that is in year two of three years, and first we wanted to learn what is this going to demonstrate, what will we learn and then how may we scale it possibly,” she said. According to endowment spokesperson Amber Rogerson, funds for the program are set to expire after June 2027. “It's too early to discuss what happens after that,” wrote Rogerson in an email, “though we know the partners are considering the future, and some of the work supported by the grants is now built into their regular operations.”
Health Care Partnership outlines workforce progress
More local nursing graduates are staying in the region, according to officials offering an update on the progress of the New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership at a public forum last night. According to Jack Watson, dean of UNCW’s College of Health & Human Services, the number of UNCW nursing graduates choosing to remain in the area after graduation has climbed from 27% to the mid-40% range. The New Hanover Healthcare Career Partnership aims to address the region’s healthcare worker shortage, with a key focus on nursing through strategic partnerships between UNCW, Cape Fear Community College (CFCC), New Hanover County Schools and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "Each of the partners had pathway programs,” said Watson, “but they were almost at times done in a silo." One of the New Hanover Community Endowment's largest commitments to date, the collaborative received a $22.3 million grant in 2023, to be disbursed over three years, beginning in 2024. At the public forum, leadership addressed the nursing bottleneck created by the pandemic, and Laurie Whalin, president of the Novant Health Coastal Region, acknowledged that Novant Health had relied heavily on travel nurses during that period, with travel nurses making up about 47% of staff and nursing turnover at 35% at the height of the pandemic. "I can say we are in a tremendously different place today,” Whalin said at the forum. The number of travel nurses employed by the Novant Health Coastal Region has dropped to around 100 today, which Whalin says accounts for less than 4% of the workforce. Roughly two years into the grant term, major stakeholders in the collaboration pointed to various accomplishments tied to the initiative. According to Stephen Hill, vice president of talent development with the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, 250 more nurses live in New Hanover County in 2026 than in 2023. Whalin added that between 2021 and 2025, the Novant Health Coastal Region has hired close to 1,200 registered nurses. Additionally, according to Whalin, over the past two years, hiring and retention of nursing graduates from UNCW increased by 103%, while hiring and retention of nursing graduates from CFCC increased by 70%. Mandy Mills, director of career & technical education at New Hanover County Schools, pointed to the launch of its first Health Sciences Academy program, established across the county's four traditional high schools (Hoggard High School, Laney High School, Ashley High School and New Hanover High School), which started with 38 students last year. Mills also pointed to growth in the district’s Nursing Fundamentals course, which grew from 10 seats in 2023 to 50 in 2025-2026 and is now offered at all four traditional high schools. Watson emphasized the growing nursing class sizes and offered an update on the school’s accelerated nursing degree, which launched last year. Eleven students graduated in the first class, and all passed their boards on the first try, Watson said. This year’s class has 24 students. When the endowment announced its $22.3 million grant for the collaborative in 2023, UNCW and CFCC were each slated to receive the bulk of the funds, at about $10 million each. UNCW’s plans for the grant money included expanding its simulation lab, Watson said. He added that construction is expected to begin on the simulation lab this year and will likely extend through next year. According to Mary Ellen Naylor, dean of Health & Human Services at CFCC, the college has experienced growth in its associate degree nursing retention, rising from 59% in 2023 to 76% for the May 2026 class. CFCC used part of its endowment funding to support wraparound services, including a housing stipend, tuition assistance, exam assistance, emergency assistance, drop-in daycare and clinical and educational supplies. "We have very strong … students, but once they get into the program, there are competing priorities,” Naylor said. “They are working multiple jobs. They have children. They're single parents." According to Naylor, in 2026, 94% of students who used support services are still enrolled or have graduated. Addressing a question from an audience member about an approaching “enrollment cliff,” driven largely by dropping birth rates, Watson and Naylor said demand remains strong at both schools. “Right now … we do have more applicants than we have spots in our nursing program, and it is still a competitive process to get into,” Watson said. “I do not foresee that changing.” "(We've) doubled enrollment in our nursing programs over the last few years, but just as Dean Watson said, we still have very robust applicant pools, so it is still very competitive to get in,” Naylor said. "We have the applicant pool to support that, but again, it's not as easy as just saying, 'Okay … we're going to take another 90 students.' It's making sure all the resources and infrastructure that we need to educate the students outside the classroom is there as well." In response to a question about applying the collaborative model to other healthcare positions besides nursing, Sophie Dagenais, CEO and president of the endowment, said she sees the potential for the model to expand to other healthcare jobs and even other industries, but that the endowment hopes to learn from this model first. “This is a grant that is in year two of three years, and first we wanted to learn what is this going to demonstrate, what will we learn and then how may we scale it possibly,” she said. According to endowment spokesperson Amber Rogerson, funds for the program are set to expire after June 2027. “It's too early to discuss what happens after that,” wrote Rogerson in an email, “though we know the partners are considering the future, and some of the work supported by the grants is now built into their regular operations.”
NJ Business Council for Childcare Launches to Strengthen NJ’s Workforce and Economy
ATLANTIC CITY — Today, the New Jersey Business Council for Childcare officially launched, bringing together some of the state’s most influential business organizations and employers to address childcare as a critical workforce and economic issue. Advised by Moms First, the statewide, business-led coalition includes the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), New Jersey Chamber of[...]
Little Rock, Kapor Center to develop startup businesses
The city of Little Rock will partner with the Kapor Center on a multi-year project to work with "gap-closing" startup businesses to solve financial stability, housing, health care, education and workforce development challenges, according to a Wednesday news release.
Panel outlines the job skills Wisconsin workers need amid AI's growth
Workforce needs are evolving at a rate Madison College can hardly keep up with, said Jennifer Berne, the college's president, at Cap Times Idea Fest.
Workforce tops business leaders’ growth concerns
About 2 in 5 business leaders who were polled during the Mississippi Business Alliance’s statewide tour stop Tuesday at the Lowndes County PACCAR plant said workforce availability is the issue most likely to limit their organization’s growth over the next two years.
Stony Brook Hosts Congressional Briefing on Quantum Technology
A Stony Brook congressional briefing examined U.S. quantum networking, workforce development and federal investment priorities.
New IFT White Paper Provides Blueprint for Building a Future-Ready Food Science Workforce
IFT covers building a future-ready food science workforce through AI, policy literacy and systems thinking.
Bellevue Chamber to host Career Fair & Business Expo
The free event will connect job seekers, students, military families, and career changers with employers and workforce resources across the Omaha Metro
Allegheny Health Network Launches New National CRNA Recruiting Campaign, $110,000 Student Loan Repayment Program, to Strengthen Western Pennsylvania's Certified Nurse Anesthetist Workforce
/PRNewswire/ -- Allegheny Health Network (AHN) today announced the launch of a new national recruitment and loan repayment program designed to strengthen the...
Boston taps UMass students to tackle public health workforce gaps
Boston is tapping its universities to build a stronger public health workforce, starting with students at UMass Boston.
WV to allocate nearly $300,000 in Rural Health Transformation funds to expand nursing workforce
The state will contribute $291,403 of its federal Rural Health Transformation funds to the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education.
Scientists Report Continuing Harms to U.S. Science in Second-Year Survey
A survey of scientists across a variety of life sciences details how federal government policies have created ongoing disruptions to American research and the scientific workforce.
Take part in Palmer Group’s 2027 salary survey
Palmer Group is seeking input from Iowa business leaders for its 2027 Annual Salary Guide, which will examine hiring plans, compensation trends and workforce priorities for the coming year. The four-question, multiple-choice survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete and will be available to complete through Oct. 2. Responses will be kept confidential and…
Bergen New Bridge, Ramapo College partner to bolster state’s health care workforce
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and Ramapo College are expanding their partnership to bring more students into real-world clinical settings.
Research: The True Cost of Corporate Scandals? Talent.
New research tracking millions of career moves shows that corporate misconduct carries a significant hidden cost: voluntary employee departures. An analysis of 735 large public companies found that regulatory violations equal to 5% of annual revenue were associated with a 3.9% increase in departures. Turnover rises sharply when violations are geographically widespread, occur in rapid succession, or expand into new categories of misconduct. Employees who leave also tend to join companies with cleaner regulatory records, giving responsible competitors a recruiting advantage. Companies should treat compliance as a talent issue, monitor patterns of misconduct alongside attrition, and respond to violations with credible accountability to protect their workforce and reputation.
Business Group on Health taps BioRadar to boost workforce readiness for emerging threats
Biological threat intelligence is increasingly becoming a workforce and business issue, not just a public health concern. | Biological threat intelligence is increasingly becoming a workforce and business issue, not just a public health concern. Emerging threats—infectious disease outbreaks, pandemics and potential bioterrorism events—can cause workforce and operational disruptions.
Business Group on Health taps BioRadar to boost workforce readiness for emerging threats
Biological threat intelligence is increasingly becoming a workforce and business issue, not just a public health concern. | Biological threat intelligence is increasingly becoming a workforce and business issue, not just a public health concern. Emerging threats—infectious disease outbreaks, pandemics and potential bioterrorism events—can cause workforce and operational disruptions.
Building Michigan’s healthy future requires a different kind of workforce strategy
Wayne State is investing in talent, research and partnerships to strengthen Michigan’s health workforce and improve community health.
Building Michigan’s healthy future requires a different kind of workforce strategy
Wayne State is investing in talent, research and partnerships to strengthen Michigan’s health workforce and improve community health.
Business Briefcase: Symposium lined up to build PA workforce
ORWIGSBURG — A Workforce Leadership Symposium — Building Pennsylvania’s Workforce … Strategies for Turning Shortage into Opportunity — is planned for 9-11:30 a.m. Oct. 22 by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce at Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial…
Business briefs
NEW TO BOARD: The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley recently named four new members to its board of directors. The new board members bring diverse professional experience in human resources, healthcare, workforce and economic development, and real estate, strengthening the Autism Society’s leadership as it expands programs, partnerships, community engagement, and resources for individuals and […]
Business briefs
NEW TO BOARD: The Autism Society of Mahoning Valley recently named four new members to its board of directors. The new board members bring diverse professional experience in human resources, healthcare, workforce and economic development, and real estate, strengthening the Autism Society’s leadership as it expands programs, partnerships, community engagement, and resources for individuals and […]
Oakland County invests in workforce, public health, anti-trafficking efforts in new budget
Political appointee turnover at unprecedented levels under Trump administration
Nearly half of Trump appointees who have separated from government served less than one year, and about 25% served under six months, new research shows.
Business Leaders Urge Congress to Maintain Workforce Funding
As federal lawmakers negotiate spending levels for fiscal 2027, a nationwide coalition of 96 businesses and business associations, including
Fred Payne: Poverty costs Indiana businesses millions of dollars
Research shows employees experiencing financial stress lose productive work time. When a workforce is financially fragile, productivity losses compound.
WHO flags growing health workforce gap as workers and patients age
GENEVA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization warned on Friday of a gap in the medical workforce around the world in the 2030s, with a quarter of doctors set to retire in the next decade. "In many countries both our populations and health...
The People on the Move 9/18/2026
Healthcare Central Valley Health Network has named Hnub Lee as its new workforce initiatives and special projects coordinator. A Fresno native, Lee brings experience in community engagement, higher education, student success and program
Choate workers’ union files lawsuit to block state from gutting mental health facility
Choate workers' union is suing Illinois to block plans to cut beds and roughly half the workforce at the facility.
Iowa’s August jobs report released
Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady in August at 3.2%, the same as it has been since May, new information from Iowa Workforce Development shows. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1%, the same as it was in July. Businesses in Iowa added 2,400 jobs in August, pushing the state’s nonfarm employment to 1,585,800. Sectors that saw…
McPherson College and KU partner to strengthen Kansas’ rural health workforce
McPherson and KU will explore partnerships in subjects such as career development, community health resources and rural health promotion.
Workforce is both an opportunity and challenge for NH manufacturers
Annual summit scheduled as NH welcomes company from Massachusetts
IHS Awards $2.3 Million to Expand Community Health Aid Program
A program designed to bolster the mid-level medical workforce in Indian Country is getting a $2.3 million boost to bring it to the lower 48. Community health aides are providers who bridge gaps in communities where healthcare access is limited. According to the IHS website, these include conducting health assessments and screenings, providing preventive care […]
From classroom to the community: Transforming health in underserved areas
Across South Texas, the future of healthcare is being shaped by a new generation of health professionals who are preparing to serve the communities that need them most. Through education, mentorship and hands-on experiences, they are building the skills and connections needed to expand access to care and strengthen the healthcare workforce for generations […]
Lamont, Fazio make pitch to business leaders
Fazio and Lamont outlined competing plans on taxes, healthcare, energy and workforce issues before CT business leaders.
The Week in Health: Diabetic Wound Care, Public Health Workforce
Mölnlycke's diabetic amputation data, COFEPRIS's Edomex deal, and hospital groups on scale define this week's Health coverage.
Ball State University Receives Grant to Strengthen Rural Health Workforce, Access to Care
By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN— Ball State University has received funding through the Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand access to health services in East Central Indiana. The $358,170 award, covering Sept. 1, 2026-July 31
Alliant expands benefits team with M&A and workforce expertise
Two hires signal what employers now demand from their benefits advisers
Iowa universities propose new programs for academic and workforce demand
Iowa's public universities received initial approval for new academic programs and centers from the Iowa Board of Regents Wednesday.
Health First announces layoffs and ends some local programs
Health First announced the elimination of 214 positions, roughly 2% of its workforce, mostly in administrative roles.
Seven rural community colleges receive $5.93 million for healthcare training
Because community colleges can serve as an entry point for aspiring medical professionals, the RHTF funding for rural colleges is intended to help grow the healthcare workforce in areas of the state that have experienced shortages.
North Carolina’s Southeast welcomes new Director of Business Development Savannah Taylor
Savannah TaylorSavannah Taylor, a career economic development professional, has accepted the role of director of Business Development at North Carolina’s Southeast. She officially started in the position on Sept. 14.“North Carolina’s Southeast’s success has long been based on strategic collaborative engagement and leadership among our team and with our partners, so a key aim was to find someone who aligned with those dynamics,” said NCSE President Steve Yost in a press release. “Savannah has strong experience for this position through her previous roles in local economic development, research, and policy development, and it became clear that she would be an excellent match in helping to advance the mission for our 20-county region. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the Southeast.”Before joining the Southeast team, Taylor lived and worked in Georgia as an economic development project manager for the City of Marietta and as public policy & research manager and research director for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She has successfully led public policy and strategic project initiatives related to statewide community development and has served on several special committees, including the Metro Atlanta eXchange for Workforce Solutions Research Committee and the United for ALICE Georgia Research Advisory Committee. “After previously working at the state and local level in Georgia, I knew I was looking for a local or regional organization as my next step,” said Taylor in a press release. “I wanted to find a highly collaborative environment, and that led me to North Carolina’s Southeast.”Taylor graduated from Georgia College & State University with dual degrees — a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in World Languages and Cultures. “I’m really looking forward to interacting with the organization’s partners and all of the local developers,” said Taylor in a press release. “Overall, I think I’m most excited for the new adventures with all the hiking and biking and everything else there is to explore in the region. I hope if anyone has any recommendations, they’ll share them!”
Georgia health care workforce shortage puts pressure on patients
A-State Exercise Science Programs receive STEM Designation
JONESBORO — Arkansas State University’s undergraduate and graduate exercise science programs have officially received a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics designation, further recognizing the scientific rigor and workforce relevance of
Community, business leaders urge City Council to protect workforce programs in budget
Mercy College of Health Sciences becomes Mercy Health Sciences University
Mercy College of Health Sciences today announced that it has officially become Mercy Health Sciences University. According to a news release, the new name reflects the institution’s continued growth into a university designed to meet the expanding healthcare workforce needs of Iowa. Founded in 1899 as the Mercy Des Moines School of Nursing, the institution joined…
A new report says Hampton Roads needs thousands of healthcare workers
Health care workforce leaders say some of the region’s smaller staffing gaps can be just as disruptive as lacking nurses or doctors.
Carrie Hughes: Health and human services director, House Education and the Workforce Committee
Carrie Hughes knows she is somewhat of a rarity on Capitol Hill. Her first job as a congressional aide was in the office of Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.). Eighteen years later, he’s the only membe…
Opinion: Gov. DeWine celebrates Ohio’s workforce but the state needs to do far more
Ohio was recently named America’s Top State for Business. It should set its sights on becoming the best state for its workers, too.
Why becoming a LinkedIn lunatic might save your career
In today's economy, 'go direct' isn't just for founders any more. It's for the entire workforce — as long as you don't slop it up.
New health workforce data shows over 5,000 job ads for registered nurses in Southwest and Southside Virginia
The new quarterly report from the George Mason University Center for Health Workforce also indicates significant demand for other professional services that require less specialized training.
Blue Turf Thinkers: College of Engineering builds Idaho's energy workforce
At each Boise State home football game, the “Blue Turf Thinkers” series honors outstanding groups...
Building tomorrow's rural healthcare workforce
Middle school students from rural communities visited ETSU's Academic Health Sciences Center to explore healthcare careers through hands-on experiences.
Europe's endocrine community calls for policy action as growing demand puts hormone health workforce under pressure
The Prague Declaration and accompanying white paper, "Endocrine Workforce 2026: Recommendations for a Healthier Endocrine Future," set out 29 recommendations informed by ESE's State of Endocrinology surveys, ...
Trump wants Bombardier out of U.S. market. In CT, the company employs hundreds
Trump’s Bombardier jet sales ban threat could affect the Canadian jet maker’s Connecticut workforce, aerospace partners and Bradley Airport operations.
Why Big Bend businesses should partner with 4-H clubs
Beyond farming 4-H is a vital network for youth leadership and workforce development in the Big Bend region.
Kansas Faces Growing Demand for Nurses as Workforce Trends Reshape Healthcare Needs
Aging populations, rural care gaps, and workforce shortages drive demand for nursing education and career advancement across the state.Kansas Ci...
Federal science funding cuts push young U.S. researchers to consider moving abroad
Abrupt cuts to federal science funding are threatening the American research workforce. A new survey indicates that early career scientists face severe professional disruptions, pushing many to consider leaving the country or abandoning research entirely.