Welcome to the South Piedmont AHEC Workforce Collaborative
The South Piedmont AHEC Workforce Collaborative is a regional initiative launched through the NC Health Talent Alliance, in partnership with the NC Chamber, to address the urgent shortage of healthcare professionals across North Carolina. Our mission is to turn a statewide challenge into meaningful, region-specific action that builds lasting solutions for healthcare workforce development.
Guided by regional data from the SHEPS Center, our collaborative focuses on strategic efforts to recruit, train, retain, and support the well-being of healthcare professionals throughout our eight-county region: Anson, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Stanly, and Union..
This work is powered by a diverse coalition of employers, educators, and workforce development partners who bring deep expertise and a shared commitment to innovation. Together, we’re advancing innovative strategies to strengthen the healthcare pathways by sparking interest among K–12 students, supporting the growth of community college and university graduates, and empowering licensed professionals to reenter the workforce with confidence. We believe that collaboration is key to shaping the future of healthcare in our region. By becoming a member of the South Piedmont AHEC Workforce Collaborative, you take an active role in shaping the future of healthcare, ensuring our region has the talent it needs to meet both current and future demands.
What benefits will employers and educators experience?
Employers:
Educators:
Current Collaborative Members:
The South Piedmont AHEC Workforce Collaborative is built on the powerful partnership between employers and educators–two pillars essential to solving the healthcare workforce crisis. Together, they are shaping a future where our region has robust, responsive, and sustainable talent pathways.
Educators from K–12 schools, community colleges, and universities play a vital role in developing the talent supply needed to meet healthcare demands. Educators and employers collaborate to ensure that solutions are informed by real-time insights into both talent supply and employer demand using data supplied by the Shepps Center through annual regional surveys.
Employers bring deep expertise and strategic leadership to this initiative by identifying gaps, forecasting future needs, and co-designing solutions. They also incorporate recommendations from the NCIOM Task Force, translating statewide strategies into actionable regional plans.
By leveraging both educator supply data and employer demand projections, the collaborative is creating targeted, data-driven strategies that will have a lasting impact. This joint effort ensures that students, graduates, and returning professionals are prepared to meet the evolving needs of our healthcare system.
Together, employers and educators are not just responding to today’s challenges, they’re building the foundation for a healthier, more resilient future.
We’re excited to introduce the Workforce in Motion Newsletter — your monthly source for updates, insights, and opportunities in healthcare workforce development. This publication serves as a vital communication platform to keep our valued stakeholders and partners informed and is designed to:
We recognize the critical role our partners play in advancing this mission. Your continued support and engagement are essential to the success and sustainability of our efforts. We look forward to keeping you informed and inspired as we grow our impact together.
Want to get involved?
Contact: Kimberly Schnitzler, MSN, RN, Workforce Development Project Manager at kimberly.schnitzler@advocatehealth.org
Newsletter Archives:
2025