One of the newest education opportunities is the Learning Lab program, which provides ECU Health Medical Center team members the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency in partnership with Pitt Community College.
Housed on the Medical Center campus, team members who are accepted to and enrolled in the Learning Lab program can use the lab during their workday to complete schoolwork. Additionally, the program offers financial assistance for program-testing fees and compensates a portion of the team members’ school time.
A key feature of the Learning Lab is the one-on-one support from a Pitt Community College instructor, who helps with assignments and certain skill development such as organization and time management.
This spring, ECU Health celebrated its first three graduates from the program. Simone Cummings, a Central Services technician at the Medical Center and one of the graduates, has been with the health system for a little over three and a half years.
Simone praised the program and encouraged other team members to take advantage of this opportunity. “What I love about the program is that you can work at your own pace, have one-on-ones with the teacher if there is a topic you are having problems with and you’re with a small group which makes learning fun and more interesting,” she says.
Simone advises those interested in the Learning Lab to take action: “I would say to talk to your managers, get signed up. Time doesn’t wait on you; you wait on time. If you are thinking of going back and getting your GED or high school equivalency, I am so proud of you. Just by thinking about it you are already a winner, and your story has just begun. By joining this program, you already have a family to support and love you all the way because no one gets left behind.”Simone1.jpg
Programs like this one open doors for team members, providing the education needed to apply for other programs such as the NA I, NA Advancement, the HomeGrown program or to explore other opportunities in the organization that require a high school diploma or equivalent.
“The Learning Lab program is so beneficial to team members at the Medical Center because it provides a stepping stone to other programs we offer,” says Doris Hill, Workforce Development Consultant, and organizer for this program.
Team members interested in the Learning Lab program must complete the application process to be considered. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall and spring semesters. For more information about the Learning Lab program, click here or contact the ECU Health Workforce Development office at 252-847-3174.