What's New at NWAHEC

Kicking Off 2026 with Two Key Health Talent Alliance Events

Written by Megan Mills Anderson | Jan 6, 2026 6:35:31 PM

As we enter 2026, the Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) and our partners across the Health Talent Alliance are excited to launch the year with two collaborative events designed to strengthen healthcare education, workforce development, and employer–educator partnerships across our region.

These initiatives bring together leaders from healthcare, education, and workforce sectors to advance shared priorities - and continue building a robust talent pipeline for North Carolina’s future.

1. Upcoming Joint Meeting: NWAHEC CCEP & Employer and Educator Collaborative

January 20, 2026 | Virtual
Audience: Healthcare employers & educational partners

The NWAHEC Consortium for Clinical Education and Practice (CCEP) and the NWAHEC Employer and Educator Collaborative will host a joint virtual meeting to open the year with discussion, updates, and shared learning across the healthcare and education landscape.

This meeting offers participating organizations the opportunity to:

  • Hear updates on clinical education and workforce development initiatives
  • Share what’s happening within their systems, schools, and communities
  • Learn about emerging trends shaping healthcare practice and talent needs
  • Strengthen connections between employers and academic institutions

👉 Join the meeting: Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 233 234 490 312 03 / Passcode: U2Qg2Hh3

We look forward to your participation and continued collaboration as we work together to support the region’s healthcare workforce.

2. Northwest Healthcare Accelerator: Strengthening Apprenticeships & Pre‑Apprenticeships

February 4, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Davidson-Davie Community College, Mary E. Rittling Conference Center
297 DCC Road, Thomasville, NC 27360
Lunch provided - REGISTER NOW

The Northwest Healthcare Accelerator is a new, high-impact event designed to help our region expand high‑quality healthcare apprenticeship and pre‑apprenticeship pathways.

This Accelerator will bring together secondary and post-secondary educators, healthcare employers, and workforce partners for a day of learning, collaboration, and program planning.

Participants will:

  • Explore best practices for developing healthcare pre‑apprenticeships and youth registered apprenticeships
  • Learn directly from employers successfully implementing these models
  • Hear from local school districts and community colleges on how programs are structured
  • Participate in a working session to begin designing pathways tailored to community workforce needs

Who should attend?
Healthcare employers, university and community college partners, K–12 administrators, CTE leaders, workforce board representatives, and other industry stakeholders committed to growing locally trained talent.

This event is hosted in partnership with:

  • NC Business Committee for Education (NCBCE)
  • MyFutureNC
  • Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
  • Piedmont AHEC
  • South Piedmont AHEC

👉 Reserve your spot today: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bpFmtsyBRbTNznM

 

Strengthening North Carolina’s Healthcare Talent Pipeline - Together

Both of these events reflect our region’s deep commitment to collaboration and innovation in healthcare workforce development. By aligning employers, educators, and community partners, we are building sustainable pathways that prepare learners, support employers, and strengthen healthcare delivery across Northwest North Carolina.

We look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events and to another year of meaningful partnership.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please feel free to reach out - and don’t forget to share these opportunities with colleagues who may benefit from attending.

 
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