Preparing for the next generation of healthcare professionals
Central Texas continues to face critical shortages in healthcare staffing. Filling open positions — particularly for registered nurses, radiology techs and surgical techs — remains a challenge for many healthcare organizations as our population continues to grow. As part of the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, a regional initiative led by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, St. David’s HealthCare is working collaboratively with partners to strengthen the healthcare talent pipeline and ensure it reflects the diversity and evolving needs of our growing region.
During the first annual State of Healthcare Workforce Forum, St. David’s HealthCare shared how rising education costs, rapid population growth and an aging workforce are key factors driving healthcare workforce strategies. The growing demand for specialized care continues to strain an already limited pool of trained professionals. Beyond filling positions, St. David’s HealthCare is building sustainable career pathways that strengthen both recruitment and retention. By expanding access to affordable training and apprenticeship programs, deepening partnerships with educational institutions, creating hands-on learning opportunities for early college high school programs, and fostering supportive work environments at every career stage, St. David’s HealthCare is investing in a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce.
A cornerstone of these efforts is St. David’s HealthCare’s partnership with Capital IDEA, a nonprofit that recruits and supports students pursuing degrees in high-demand careers — many of whom are first-generation college students — through full scholarships, wraparound services and career navigation. St. David’s HealthCare has committed to hiring Capital IDEA graduates and reinvesting in the organization to train future cohorts, creating a sustainable, community-focused pipeline of skilled healthcare workers. This model enhances regional workforce stability and creates real pathways to economic mobility for residents across Central Texas.
These efforts are further amplified by St. David’s Foundation’s broader initiative to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce and to advance health equity. Earlier this year, the Foundation awarded $10 million in grants to 10 collaborative organizations, including Capital IDEA and Workforce Solutions, through its Pathways to Economic Stability for the Healthcare Workforce funding initiative. These grants will support efforts to enroll more than 1,200 new students annually in healthcare certification or credential programs and remove structural barriers for historically marginalized communities. Together, St. David’s HealthCare, St. David’s Foundation and Capital IDEA are building a diverse and resilient healthcare workforce that reflects the community it serves and is equipped to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs.