New program provides free short-term training in health care careers

Students who enroll in specific short-term health care training programs at PCC will pay nothing, thanks to the new Care Forward Colorado program.

The qualifying programs available at PCC are:

Certified nurse aide
Emergency medical technician 
Phlebotomy technician 
Pharmacy technician 
Medical assistant

Students will pay no tuition, fees or course material costs, as program funding allows. The programs can be completed in a year or less.

Care Forward Colorado was created to build up the state’s health care workforce while offering students an affordable way to start a high-growth career that pays well. The program was made possible by Senate Bill 22-226, bipartisan legislation that allocates $26 million in state COVID-19 recovery funds to train people in critical entry-level health care careers.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado faced deep shortages in entry-level health care positions. By 2023, phlebotomist and pharmacy technician jobs will grow by 38% and 24%, respectively, and general health care support jobs are projected to jump by 16%, according to data from the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report.

To learn more about the Care Forward Colorado program, submit our request for information form and an advisor will contact you.