As you read this, spring has officially sprung! Spring has significance as a time of awakening and a time of renewal and rebirth. It brings with it a way of making things feel possible again. Maybe it’s the lack of snow and the arrival of greenery and flowers, or the warmth of the sun, but it’s a time we shake off the winter and start to think about what’s next. This spring, LifePath and MassHire Franklin Hampshire want to make sure that the feeling of possibility comes with real opportunity.
Maura Geary, Co-Executive Director of MassHire Franklin Hampshire, and I, are excited to share news about a new partnership between MassHire Franklin Hampshire and LifePath. Together, we believe this initiative could be genuinely life-changing for older adults in our region who are looking to enter, or re-enter, the workforce.
The goal of this grant-funded opportunity is to connect adults 55 and older with paid, hands-on training that leads directly into stable, entry-level jobs at local health centers.
Through a Commonwealth Corporation Workforce Competitive Trust Fund award, MassHire Franklin Hampshire is leading a new Rural Healthcare Workforce Training Initiative. LifePath is proud to be a key partner in bringing this program to older adults across Franklin County. The goal of this grant-funded opportunity is to connect adults 55 and older with paid, hands-on training that leads directly into stable, entry-level jobs at local health centers. A unique aspect of this training, and something that we’re very proud of, is that this is a paid opportunity. Participants earn an hourly wage throughout the six-week training. This removes a significant barrier for individuals looking to make a change, and they will not need to choose between making ends meet and investing in their future.
Why This, Why Now?
MassHire has its finger on the pulse of all things employment-related, and something they hear from local healthcare employers regularly is that certain positions are genuinely hard to fill and even harder to retain. Roles like medical receptionists, patient care representatives, and other customer service roles sit at the front lines of the patient experience. They require reliability, communication, and care — qualities that, frankly, many older adults have in abundance. And yet, breaking into a new field without a clear entry point can feel overwhelming for older adults who still have so much to give. That’s exactly the gap this program is designed to close.
Training programs like this are scarce. And the idea of giving up income to attend a program, no matter how promising, puts opportunity out of reach for too many people. This initiative was built with those realities in mind.
What the Training Looks Like
The program runs for six weeks and is delivered in person. It’s structured in three connected layers, each building on the last.
MassHire Franklin Hampshire leads the first layer: workforce readiness. That means practical skills like digital literacy, professional communication, email etiquette, customer service, cultural sensitivity, and OSHA training. These trainings were carefully selected because they are the foundation that helps someone not just get a job but succeed and grow in it.
LifePath contributes the second layer: healthcare work readiness. We’ll review health insurance and how it works, medical terminology, HIPAA and information control, and support electronic medical record training. I spent decades working in healthcare settings and I know how intimidating the work can feel to someone on the outside. Our modules are designed to remove that intimidation by giving participants the vocabulary, structure, and context they need to confidently walk through the door and enter these roles.
The third layer is where it all comes together. Our first employer partners for this initiative are Community Health Center of Franklin County and Baystate Franklin Medical Center. They will provide on-the-job training directly in the settings where participants will actually work. That includes new employee orientation, site-specific learning, advanced medical terminology, and training on their specific electronic health records platforms. Another positive aspect for this program’s participants is real, hands-on practice and experience at the worksites.
This training is just the beginning. After the six weeks, participants move directly into positions at our partnering employers, where they have been training alongside their new colleagues, ready to start their new career, and ready to serve their patients.
Why LifePath’s Role Matters
LifePath has supported older adults, people living with disabilities, and caregivers for more than 50 years. Over those decades, we have touched thousands of lives and created long-standing, trusting relationships. We are connected to our community through senior centers, councils on aging, meal sites, housing communities, volunteer networks, and caregiver programs. Some of these connections are with individuals who might not otherwise see themselves in a healthcare career. Part of our role in this partnership is to reach out to these individuals, share information, and help them see that this could be a career that feels made for them.
As people live longer and face increasing financial pressures, we’re seeing more individuals who want or need to return to work. We know firsthand how meaningful employment can transform someone’s stability, sense of purpose, and overall well-being. This program sits right at the intersection of everything LifePath cares about.
The Bigger Picture
MassHire Franklin Hampshire plans to run eight cohorts of this training between 2026 and 2028, preparing approximately 50 new healthcare workers for our region. With an expected placement rate of 80 percent, that means roughly 40 people, and hopefully more, entering local healthcare settings in roles that provide stable employment and benefits.
Rural healthcare providers only function when people show up every day and bring their best to these front office and patient-facing roles. This initiative helps make sure those people are trained, supported, and here to stay.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
The first cohort is launching soon, and we are actively recruiting. If you’re 55 or older and curious about a career in healthcare, I encourage you to reach out. Whether you’re changing careers, returning to work after time away, or simply looking for something meaningful to do with your skills and energy, this program could be a great next step for you.
To learn more or to register, contact LifePath at 413-773-5555. Spots are limited. Don’t wait for the next season to come around.
LifePath provides services and support to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region. To learn more, call 413-773-5555 or explore our website.
MassHire Franklin Hampshire is the workforce development organization for Franklin and Hampshire Counties, helping residents build skills, access training, and connect with good jobs. To learn more, visit their website.
