March 11, 2023 -Five students graduated from the first Earn While You Learn collaboration between Richland Community College and Abbott EMS.
The goal of the 8-week course was to remove the barrier of entry for people interested in becoming Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and build a network of healthcare workers. The students were taught by Richland faculty in RCC’s EMS lab while they earned a paycheck through Abbott EMS. Now, they will work with Abbott EMS as EMTs.
Trevor Smith, EMS Program Director at Richland Community College, said, “Partnering with private companies like Abbott EMS to offer initial education for Emergency Medical Technicians is an innovative approach to help fill gaps in the Emergency Medical Services workforce in our community. These students were put through an intensive eight-week course, but succeeded and built relationships along the way which will only be strengthened as they become practicing EMTs in Decatur and Macon County.”
“Abbott EMS is proud to have partnered with Richland for the Earn While You Learn (EWYL) EMT-B program. The students are well on their way to a new career in emergency medicine,” said Brian Gerth, Regional Director at Abbott EMS. “With the shortage of EMS professionals in the state of Illinois and the country, this program is an important step in addressing the needs of our community locally.”
