Tapping New Talent Pools in Healthcare: Five Takeaways for HR Leaders
Addressing healthcare staffing shortages requires more than short-term fixes—it demands long-term investment in historically overlooked talent pools, including English learners, first-generation students, and frontline workers. Opening access to education and career pathways is a foundational part of the solution.
At a recent panel discussion on talent development in the healthcare industry, leaders from two major health systems chatted with EnGen’s founder, Dr. Katie Brown, to share practical insights on how healthcare employers can better reach, support, and retain these workers. Here are five key takeaways:
1. Make Education Benefits Visible and Navigable
Growing numbers of healthcare employers are offering education benefits through partnerships with education-as-a-benefit providers—including programs like English instruction, high school completion, and career-aligned training in areas such as medical assisting and pharmacy tech. However, these programs only work if employees know they exist and understand how to access them.
Many entry-level workers, especially English learners, are unaware of these opportunities or find the application process unclear. To drive participation, employers must:
Use plain-language, multilingual communications
Share information in team huddles and break rooms
Host webinars for both managers and associates
Feature benefits on hospital websites
Share success stories to spark interest
For English learners and first-generation workers, the biggest barrier is often not eligibility—it’s access to clear, supportive guidance. Simplifying the process can unlock internal mobility and expand the talent pipeline.
2. Design Stackable Credentials and Career Pathways
Stackable credentials—those that build on each other and lead to higher pay—are powerful tools for long-term career growth. But in many healthcare systems, career pathways are opaque. Entry-level workers may not understand what’s required to advance or how to move from one training milestone to the next.
To address this, employers can use competency-based English instruction designed specifically for healthcare workers. This method helps employees gain the language skills they need to succeed in training and on the job—faster and more efficiently. Continued access to stackable credentials and upskilling ensures long-term career growth within the organization.
3. Integrate Technical, Communication, and English Skills
In healthcare, technical skills are essential, but soft skills—like communication, empathy, and adaptability—are just as critical. For English learners, this also means mastering healthcare-specific vocabulary and patient interaction skills.
Career-aligned English instruction bridges this gap by teaching the language skills needed for real-world healthcare settings. Combining technical training with language support ensures employees are ready to deliver excellent, compassionate care.
4. Support Workforce Readiness and Long-Term Retention
To retain the next generation of healthcare workers, employers must invest in long-term career mobility. Career pathways should align with real job openings and include ongoing support, from onboarding to career progression.
While many systems invest in high school-to-healthcare pipelines, English learners in high school are often left out. Competency-based platforms can prepare these students earlier by offering adaptive, healthcare-focused training to build both English proficiency and academic readiness.
Investing in holistic career development, rather than one-off training, helps build a stable, skilled, and loyal workforce.
5. Build a Collaborative Ecosystem
No single healthcare system can solve staffing shortages alone. Instead of competing for talent, healthcare systems can collaborate to uncover hidden talent pools, share best practices, and scale what works.
Building partnerships with community organizations, local chambers of commerce, and employers outside of healthcare—like banks and sports teams—can bring healthcare career information to underserved communities. When job seekers see people with similar backgrounds building successful careers in healthcare, it breaks down barriers and builds trust.
Healthcare systems that reflect the populations they serve tend to be more efficient, have better outcomes, and enjoy higher patient satisfaction. Making career pathways visible in local communities is a long-term investment in high-quality care.
From Insights to Impact
As healthcare systems continue to face workforce challenges, connecting with underrepresented talent—including English learners—can be a game-changer. But success requires thoughtful program design, proactive communication, and a long-term commitment to these talent pools.
By removing barriers, clarifying pathways, and collaborative inclusive ecosystems, HR leaders can not only fill today’s roles—but also build a more diverse, resilient healthcare workforce for the future.
EnGen partners with healthcare systems and education benefits providers across the U.S. and Canada to deliver on-demand, industry-aligned English instruction for health workers of all backgrounds. Learn how EnGen can work for your organization.