New collaboration expands training opportunities to strengthen Northern Michigan’s healthcare workforce

North Central Michigan College (NCMC) and Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan are partnering to launch a Fast Track Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program this November. The two-week course is designed to quickly and effectively prepare individuals for careers as CNAs, addressing the region’s growing need for qualified caregivers.

Beginning November 10, 2025, the program includes:

  • 34 hours of classroom instruction at NCMC;
  • 16.5 hours of hands-on skill training in NCMC’s state-of-the-art labs; and
  • 24.5 hours of supervised clinical experience at Grandvue

Tuition is $1,050 per student. Thanks to scholarships provided by the NCMC Foundation, financial assistance is available to make the program more accessible. Graduates who complete certification testing may also be eligible for reimbursement of expenses through Grandvue or another Medicaid-eligible employer.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with North Central on this important initiative,” said Shannan Butler, director of nursing at Grandvue. “Not only does this partnership help fill a critical workforce gap, but it also gives students real-world experience in long-term care. It’s an investment in both our future caregivers and the well-being of our community.”

CNAs provide essential support to healthcare teams by assisting residents with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. They monitor patient health, ensure safety and hygiene, provide emotional support, and document care, making them a critical part of person-centered healthcare.

The Grandvue program builds on the success of NCMC’s 2023 partnership with Bay Bluffs Medical Care Facility, highlighting the college’s continued efforts to expand access to healthcare careers across Northern Michigan. That initiative has already made a measurable difference, according to Administrator Lisa Ashley, who notes the region’s growing need for nurses and caregivers at all levels — a demand sharpened by an aging population.

“The partnership with NCMC has helped community members step into vital caregiving roles,” Ashley said. “Strengthening our healthcare workforce through training partnerships like these is essential to improving care for all.”

For Cassandra Hernandez, dean of Workforce and Continuing Education at NCMC, the Fast Track CNA program illustrates how the college’s mission translates into practical solutions for one of the region’s most pressing workforce needs.

“This is about building a stronger healthcare system by training and empowering our local caregivers,” Hernandez said. “We’re proud to be part of a solution that supports families and strengthens care across Northern Michigan.”

NCMC’s Career Services department will provide additional support to students, including résumé development, interview preparation, and direct connections to employers through job fairs, hiring events, and clinical partnerships.

The Fast Track CNA program will run November 10–21, 2025. Registration is available at https://bit.ly/CNAFastTrack. For more information about this and other NCMC Fast Track programs, visit www.ncmich.edu/fast-track.