PTC faculty spreads word of updated HSEW program

Human Services Eligibility Worker graduates are rapidly becoming sought after by Minnesota Human Service Agencies, and PTC works to prepare their graduates for positions working in state or county agencies.

“Minnesota counties have been on a hiring spree lately, preparing for an influx of newly-insured residents to begin applying for coverage under the Affordable Care Act,” reported 5 Eyewitness News. They also report that, according to Rex Holzemer, assistant county administrator for Human Services in the state's largest county, “the added workers will be needed to help an estimated 23,800 newly-insured residents get registered for the health care they're eligible for.”

Now, counties all across Minnesota are scrambling to find qualified employees to accommodate the need to register the estimated thousands of newly insured Minnesota residents.

Back in August, at the beginning of fall semester, PTC launched their updated HSEW program. “With the updated curriculum and subsequent renaming of the program, we are more prepared than ever to train and develop our students for this valuable human service work,” informed Rita Watson, Human Services Eligibility Worker faculty member. “The HSEW program is for individuals who enjoy working with people and computers, plus have an interest in helping people in times of financial need,” she added.

In early September, Watson and HSEW faculty member Malinda Gahm attended the Minnesota Sponsors Conference in Brainerd to get the word out about the HSEW program. At the conference, “We spread the word about the HSEW program beyond just HSEW county supervisors. We were able to tell supervisors in various social service areas about the program,” said Gahm. “I think that will be a great help into spreading information about the program.  It was also beneficial because most of the supervisors in northern and southern counties were able to hear about the online option so individuals can take the courses virtually.” 

In late September, Watson and Gahm attended the Minnesota Financial Worker and Case Aide Association’s conference. “Our goal to educate the workers themselves on the program and the online availability,” remarked Gahm.

Watson explained that these conferences were for employer support vs. student recruitment. The purpose of the employer recruitment was to get employers interested in hiring graduates from the HSEW program. During their presentation, Watson and Gahm emphasized that HSEW graduates would make desirable employees because these students are dedicated to their career, and county human service agencies can save time and money with reduced training costs.

With PTC’s updated program, HSEW graduates will have a higher job outlook now more than ever. The HSEW program guides students to develop an understanding of the complex rules and policies governing public assistance as well as gaining computer skills.

The HSEW program is comprised of a 40-credit diploma and 60-credit Associate of Applied Science Degree. For more information, contact the program at HSEW@pinetech.edu, or call1-800-521-7463.   

Watson and Gahm presented their HSEW at each conference this fall.