South Piedmont AHEC Regional
Workforce in Motion Newsletter
April 2026
Recruit, Train, and Retain:
Developing the Workforce for a Healthy North Carolina

Collaborative Corner

As we move into spring, the momentum across the South Piedmont Regional Workforce in Motion Collaborative continues to build. Over the past several months, our region has made meaningful progress, strengthening partnerships, aligning around shared priorities, and advancing strategies to support the recruitment, retention, and development of our nursing workforce.

Over the course of our work together, one theme has become increasingly clear: the transition from conversation to coordinated action is well underway. Through the formation of Action Groups focused on recruitment, retention, and training/preceptor development, partners across healthcare, education, and workforce systems are actively designing and beginning to implement solutions that reflect the real needs of our region.

As this work continues to take shape, your engagement is more important than ever. We invite you to join us at our next South Piedmont Regional Workforce in Motion Collaborative meeting on April 23rd from 2:00–3:00 PM. This is an opportunity to support the progress of our Action Groups, stay connected to emerging regional strategies, and be part of the exciting work underway to strengthen our healthcare workforce.

Whether you are already engaged or exploring ways to get involved, your voice and partnership are critical as we continue moving from ideas to impact, building scalable solutions, strengthening local pipelines, and creating opportunities for individuals to enter, advance, and remain in healthcare careers.
Kimberly Schnitzler, RN, MSN
Project Manager, South Piedmont AHEC
Regional Workforce Development

In This Issue:

  • Workforce Pulse: NC AHEC NEWS:
    • Celebrating the Impact of South Piedmont AHEC During National AHEC Week
  • Workforce Pulse: NC STATE NEWS:
    • North Carolina Accelerates Employer-Led Apprenticeships
    • Community Colleges Expand Healthcare Training Capacity
    • Strengthening Workforce Pathways Through Statewide Partnerships
    • Apprenticeships Emerging as a Key Strategy for Nursing Pipeline Development
  • Workforce Pulse: SOUTH PIEDMONT REGIONAL NEWS: 
    • Building the Future of Healthcare Workforce: Join Us for a Healthcare Accelerator Workshop on April 22, 2026
  • Pathway Spotlight: CAREERS IN FOCUS: 
    • NC AHEC Emerging Leaders in Healthcare Conference
  • FEATURED EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT 
    • CaroMont Health: Investing in the Future of the Regional Healthcare Workforce  
  • CALL TO ACTION: 
    • Partner with us in Advancing a Stronger Regional Healthcare Workforce
  • On The Horizon: 
    • South Piedmont AHEC Regional Workforce Collaborative Meeting – April 23, 2026
    • 2026 Spring Leadership at Lunch Series – Register Now!
    • NC Nursing Workforce Research Spring 2026 Conference: Understanding the Current Nursing Workforce Data Landscape
    • Spring 2026 Upcoming Nursing Certification Review Classes
Workforce Pulse: NC AHEC NEWS
Celebrating the Impact of South Piedmont AHEC
During National AHEC Week

National AHEC Week, held March 23–27, 2026, provided an opportunity to recognize the vital role Area Health Education Centers play in strengthening the healthcare workforce across North Carolina, and to spotlight the exceptional work of South Piedmont AHEC in advancing this mission throughout the South Piedmont region. While AHEC’s impact spans the state, South Piedmont AHEC stands out for its deep regional partnerships, innovative programming, and unwavering commitment to the communities it serves.

Many people encounter AHEC through a single experience—a continuing education course, a clinical rotation, a conference, or a training. Yet AHEC’s work extends far beyond any one interaction. Every day, South Piedmont AHEC connects students, healthcare professionals, practices, educators, researchers, and community partners with the resources and opportunities they need to grow, thrive, and succeed in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Across its eight-county region, South Piedmont AHEC works to build careers, empower professionals, strengthen healthcare practices, advance knowledge and innovation, and connect communities. This comprehensive approach ensures workforce solutions are responsive to current needs while remaining scalable and sustainable for the future.

National AHEC Week served as a meaningful moment to celebrate the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of the South Piedmont AHEC team, and to recognize the impact they make every day. Through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to workforce development, South Piedmont AHEC continues to help shape a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce for the region and across the state.

To learn more about South Piedmont AHEC’s programs, partnerships, and ongoing impact, and to stay connected throughout the year, follow South Piedmont AHEC on social media:
  • Facebook: facebook.com/southpiedmontahec
  • Instagram: instagram.com/southpiedmontahec/
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/southpiedmont-ahec/
Your engagement helps broaden awareness of AHEC’s mission and amplifies the important work happening across our communities.
 
Workforce Pulse: NC STATE NEWS
North Carolina Accelerates Employer-Led Apprenticeships  

North Carolina continues to scale apprenticeship pathways as a cornerstone of its workforce strategy. Expanded funding and stronger employer engagement are creating clearer pathways from education into the workforce.  
  
Read More Here
 
Community Colleges Expand Healthcare Training Capacity  

North Carolina’s community college system is investing to expand healthcare workforce programs statewide, increasing capacity in nursing and other high-demand fields.  

Read More Here
 
Strengthening Workforce Pathways Through Statewide Partnerships   

State leaders continue to prioritize workforce pathways that connect education, training, and employment, reinforcing employer partnerships and work-based learning models.  

Read More Here
 
Apprenticeships Emerging as a Key Strategy for Nursing Pipeline Development  

Apprenticeships are increasingly recognized as a powerful strategy to grow the nursing workforce through paid, structured pathways.  

Read More Here
 
Workforce Pulse: SOUTH PIEDMONT REGIONAL NEWS
 
Register Now! Building the Future of Healthcare Workforce:
Join Us at the Healthcare Accelerator!
 
We’re excited to invite you to an innovative event designed to strengthen North Carolina’s healthcare talent pipeline. The Healthcare Accelerator, hosted
in collaboration with NCBCE, MyFutureNC, Northwest, South Piedmont and Piedmont AHECs Regional Collaboratives, and ApprenticeshipNC, will take place on:
 
Date & Time:
April 22, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM 
(Registration opens at 9:00; Program begins at 9:30)
  
Location: 
South Piedmont Community College
4150 Student Success Place
Building A, Conference Room
Monroe, NC 28110 
Lunch will be provided.
 
What Are Healthcare Accelerators? 
    
The Healthcare Accelerator—created by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and Jobs for the Future (JFF) and supported by the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), NC Community Colleges, NCWorks, and ApprenticeshipNC—serves as a bridge between innovation and implementation. It is designed to strengthen North Carolina’s healthcare and education workforce pipelines through collaboration among schools, employers, and state agencies.
 
Why Should You Attend? 
    
This one-day event brings together leaders in Career and Technical Education (CTE) in K-12 and postsecondary education, apprenticeship programs, and employer partners in the healthcare field to collaborate on building a stronger, more prepared healthcare workforce for North Carolina. The accelerator will focus on building high school pre-apprenticeship programs that can lead to registered apprenticeship opportunities after graduation. A proven strategy to grow and retain locally trained educators and healthcare professionals. By engaging students early and connecting them with hands on learning and mentorship, the program aims to create sustainable pathways that address workforce shortages while providing meaningful career opportunities.

Click Here for Event Flyer and Registration
 
Pathway Spotlight: CAREERS IN FOCUS
NC AHEC Emerging Leaders in Healthcare Conference

The 3rd Annual NC AHEC Emerging Leaders in Healthcare Conference was held in Greenville, NC, bringing together over 200 collegiate level aspiring healthcare professionals from across the state. The South Piedmont AHEC region proudly supported 21 college students enrolled in health science programs, providing them with an opportunity to engage in professional development, leadership exploration, and networking alongside peers and healthcare leaders. The conference continues to serve as a premier experience for preparing the next generation of North Carolina’s healthcare workforce.  The 2027 conference will be hosted by Wake AHEC Raleigh, NC.

For more information about the South Piedmont AHEC Scholars program, please visit our website.

FEATURED EMPLOYER SPOLIGHT
CaroMont Health:
Investing in the Future of the Regional Healthcare Workforce 

CaroMont Health has launched a bold approach to strengthening the healthcare workforce through its CARES Campaign, announcing $15 million to expand access to healthcare careers. This initiative removes barriers for learners and builds strong partnerships with local educational institutions.  

Their apprenticeship model is also delivering measurable impact, improving retention and strengthening workforce stability. This integrated approach combines education partnerships, paid training pathways, and direct financial investment.

Why This Matters for the South Piedmont Region 

This model reflects key regional priorities including strengthening local pipelines, expanding earn-and-learn opportunities, and building employer–educator partnerships.

Read More Here

CALL TO ACTION
Partner with us in Advancing a Stronger Regional
Healthcare Workforce

We invite employers, educators, and workforce partners across the South Piedmont region to get involved in this important work. Whether you are interested in shaping regional solutions, piloting new workforce strategies, or collaborating on apprenticeship and training models, there is a place for you.  

Join the South Piedmont Regional Workforce in Motion Collaborative or become part of an Action Group focused on recruitment, retention, or training and preceptor development. Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare workforce for our region.

Join an Action Group – Email: kimberly.schnitzler@advocatehealth.org

Register for April Regional Collaborative Meeting - CLICK HERE.

On the Horizon: UPCOMING EVENTS

Placeholder image

South Piedmont AHEC Regional Healthcare Workforce Collaborative Meeting

April 23, 2026 | 2 PM–3:30 PM

Sponsored by South Piedmont AHEC and UNC Charlotte, this FREE event will provide prospective health careers high school students with the opportunity to explore a variety of health careers pathways. The event will feature campus tours, key impact speakers and an interactive expo packed with healthcare professionals and health science programs.

Register Now
Placeholder image

NC Nursing Workforce Research Spring 2026 Conference: From Data to Action - Leveraging Local Research to Solve State Workforce Challenges

April 24, 2026 | 8:20 AM–1 PM

The strength and stability of North Carolina’s nursing workforce continue to shape discussions on healthcare access, education, and sustainability. The NC Nursing Workforce Research Conferences offer a collaborative, data-driven exploration of where we stand today and how research can inform the path ahead.

Register Now
Leadership at Lunch Series: Bite-Sized Learning for Big Impact
 
Level up your leadership skills in just 60 minutes with our exciting and convenient Leadership at Lunch classes! Delivering powerful solutions to today’s leadership pitfalls in a way that fits your schedule, our virtual webinars are just what new (and not so-new) healthcare leaders need to thrive!
   
Leading with Emotional Intelligence in Healthcare: Fostering Psychological Safety Across Various Roles and Teams
April 7, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM
  
From Colleagues to Collaborators: Boosting Connection & Engagement at Work
April 16, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM
  
Stronger Selves: Building Growth Through Boundaries
April 30, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM
  
Embracing Change, Choosing Growth, and Thriving Through Transitions
Part 1 & 2
May 5th & 19th, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM
  
Defining Your Value: It Starts with YOU!
May 26, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM
  
Hot Flashes & Cool Heads: Supporting Women Through Perimenopause and Menopause
June 2, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM
  
Conflict Management: Essential Skills for Emerging Leaders
August 3, 2026 | 12 PM–1 PM

Spring 2026 Upcoming Certification Review Classes
  
Oncology Nursing Certification Review Course
April 25, 2026 | 8 AM–4:30 PM
  
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) and Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE-cl®) Preparation Course
May 28, 2026 | 8 AM–5 PM
   
Case Management Certification Review Course
June 4, 2026 | 8 AM–4:30 PM
   
Certified Professional in Healthcate Quality (CPHQ) Review Course
June 9–11, 2026 | 8 AM–3:30 PM
  
Medical Surgical Nursing Certification Review Course
June 11th & 12th, 2026 | 8 AM–3:30 PM
 
For more information or to register, click here.

Subscribe to Newsletter
Stay Connected!
Facebook
Instagram
X
LinkedIn
YouTube

2026 Spring Catalog |  Courses & Events |  Employer Collaborative