About the Partnership

About Us

Building a Skilled and Diverse Healthcare Workforce in Western Massachusetts

The Healthcare Workforce Partnership of Western Massachusetts is a regional, cross-sector collaboration committed to developing and sustaining a skilled, diverse, and future-ready healthcare workforce. As an initiative of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, the Partnership unites stakeholders from across the care continuum—including healthcare employers, educational institutions, training providers, workforce agencies, career centers, and philanthropic organizations.

Together, we strive to ensure that the healthcare sector in Western Massachusetts has access to a qualified workforce capable of delivering high-quality, equitable, and patient-centered care.

Sustainable Funding Through Co-Investment

The Healthcare Workforce Partnership operates as a self-sustaining initiative, built on a co-investment model. Partner organizations contribute annual financial support, which is managed by the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Inc., to fund operations, infrastructure, and selected initiatives.

In addition to partner contributions, the Partnership secures public, private, and philanthropic funding to support innovative programs and targeted workforce development efforts.

This blended funding model allows the Partnership to remain nimble, responsive, and sustainable—ensuring long-term impact and adaptability in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Our Mission

To strengthen the healthcare workforce in Western Massachusetts through collaborative strategies that align education, training, and employment systems—ultimately improving health outcomes, addressing workforce shortages, and promoting economic mobility and equity.

Who We Are

The Partnership is made up of more than 30 active organizations representing the full ecosystem of healthcare and workforce development, including:

• Acute care and community hospitals
• Long-term care providers
• Allied health and behavioral health organizations
• K–12 schools, community colleges, and four-year universities
• Workforce boards, training providers, and clinical educators
• Government agencies and nonprofit organizations
• Regional and national philanthropic foundations

Our partners contribute leadership, data, funding, and expertise to advance shared goals and address the most pressing workforce challenges in the region.

What We Do

Collaborative Problem Solving
We serve as a convener and catalyst, coordinating efforts among employers, educators, and workforce partners to address high-priority needs in nursing, allied health, and interprofessional practice.

Career Awareness and Pathway Development
We promote awareness of healthcare careers through events, resources, and tools that help students, job seekers, and career changers navigate pathways to employment in the healthcare sector.

Employer Support and Capacity Building
We work with employers to meet workforce needs through customized training partnerships, labor market intelligence, and connections to education and talent pipelines.

Promoting Equity and Inclusion
We are dedicated to increasing workforce diversity by supporting culturally responsive outreach, inclusive training models, and equitable access to education and employment opportunities.

Working Groups

The Advisory Board oversees several dedicated working groups, each focused on specific workforce priorities:

Western Massachusetts Nursing Collaborative
Advances strategies to strengthen, diversify, and grow the regional nursing workforce.

Allied Health Working Group
Identifies emerging needs and opportunities across a broad range of allied health occupations.

Pioneer Valley Interprofessional Practice and Education Collaborative (PV IPEC)
Promotes interprofessional learning and collaboration among healthcare students and professionals to improve care quality and team-based practice.

Join the Partnership

Are you an employer, educator, community leader, or funder interested in shaping the future of healthcare in Western Massachusetts? We invite you to join us.

We welcome new partners who share our commitment to building a responsive, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare workforce.

To learn more or to get involved, please pjohnson@masshirehcwb.com.