Going Pro ELC – EMT Training

Rural communities across Michigan’s Thumb region face an ongoing shortage of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), a critical role that connects patients in emergencies to lifesaving healthcare services. Addressing this workforce gap required a coordinated, regional approach focused on both immediate staffing needs and long-term workforce sustainability.

Through collaboration with the Thumb Community Health Partnership, workforce challenges were identified at Aspire Rural Health System and McKenzie Health System, both of which were experiencing difficulties filling EMT positions. With support from GST Michigan Works! and the Thumb Region Employer-Led Collaborative, the organizations partnered to pursue a Going Pro Employer-Led Collaborative grant to train employees for EMT roles.

The grant supported EMT Basic Training through Sanilac Medical Services, Inc., equipping participants with essential emergency medical skills and preparing them for continued professional growth. As a result, trained employees moved into full-time positions, strengthening emergency response capacity across the region and helping ensure reliable access to emergency medical care for local residents.

In addition to meeting immediate workforce needs, Aspire Rural Health System is actively launching an EMS Apprenticeship Program designed to enhance training and expand career pathways for Emergency Medical Services professionals. This initiative further supports workforce development efforts by creating structured opportunities for skill advancement and long-term retention.

By leveraging regional partnerships and targeted training investments, this collaborative effort strengthened the Thumb region’s emergency medical workforce while establishing a sustainable model to address critical healthcare staffing needs.