Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Gesa Credit Union have teamed up to give local high school students interested in working in health care opportunities to develop their skills through on-the-job training and get paid at the same time. 

The health care provider and credit union have launched the first Kadlec Health Care Academy at Tri-Tech Skills Center in Kennewick, according to a release. The new program will provide local students the opportunity to explore various health care occupations while still in high school. 

About 36 students are expected to be among the first cohort. And with a $100,000 sponsorship from Gesa, participating students will receive compensation for their contributions, enabling them to participate without the need to find additional employment. 

“The Kadlec Health Care Academy is exactly the kind of investment we believe in,” said Brandon Allison, Gesa vice president of community impact, in a statement. “When local organizations work together, we can open real doors for students, connecting them to careers that matter while helping address a genuine need in our community. We’re proud to be part of that.” 

The academy is modeled after a similar program piloted in Spokane by Providence, which owns and operates Kadlec. Like that effort, the Kadlec academy is focused on engaging students from communities who have not had as much access or representation in health care. And while it will engage with students on health care-specific careers, those pursuing training not explicitly tied to health care but still applicable, such as IT and facilities management, will also be able to participate.