Propel America Expands Healthcare Apprenticeship Pathway to Strengthen Los Angeles County’s Workforce
Los Angeles, CA — With Los Angeles County facing projected shortages of nearly 200,000 nurses and 124,000 physicians over the next decade, Propel America is tackling the healthcare workforce crisis through an innovative, paid “earn-and-learn” model that prepares young adults for meaningful healthcare careers.
The organization’s first-ever Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program offers a 14-month paid pathway that combines classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and individualized career coaching. Through partnerships with Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles (CCALAC), Loyola Marymount University Extension, and more than 30 recruitment partners, the program helps local clinics fill staffing gaps while creating equitable opportunities for career advancement.
“Too many talented young people are shut out of healthcare careers because of cost and complexity,” said Chad Rountree, Chief Executive Officer of Propel America. “Our apprenticeship model is changing that dynamic—helping learners earn while they learn and preparing them for long-term success.”
“The organization’s first-ever Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program offers a 14-month paid pathway that combines classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and individualized career coaching. ”
Program Overview
Duration: 14 months
Structure: 6 months of classroom instruction and 14 months of on-the-job training at CCALAC member health centers
Compensation: Paid from day one, with stipends for training materials
Support: Career coaching, certification preparation, and mentorship
Key Features:
Earn-and-Learn Model – Paid, hands-on experience in real clinical settings
Comprehensive Training – Technical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skill development
Career Advancement – Clear pathways to sustainable healthcare roles
Workforce Pipeline – Builds a local, skilled, and community-rooted healthcare workforce
Impact in Los Angeles
40+ Fellows have completed or are enrolled in Propel’s healthcare pathway
Registered Apprenticeship Medical Assistant pathway launched in Fall 2025 with 10 apprentices, scaling to 50+ by 2027
$600,000+ in regional public funding secured to sustain and grow the model
California’s healthcare system faces an urgent workforce crisis. Studies show that allied health professionals—including medical assistants—make up 60% of the state’s healthcare workforce, yet there remains a projected shortfall of 500,000 workers and 65,000 annual openings in high-demand roles alone. Meanwhile, four in ten Californians report insufficient local access to nurses or behavioral health professionals.
Jesse Diaz, Director of Market Development, Propel America
For more information about Propel America’s Healthcare Apprenticeship Pathway in Los Angeles, visit propelamerica.org, and contact Jesse Diaz, Propel America’s Director of Market Development for Los Angeles: jesse.diaz@propelamerica.org.
About Propel America: Propel America is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating pathways for young adults to access quality education and employment opportunities in the healthcare sector. Through partnerships with educational institutions and employers, Propel America provides training, coaching, and support to help individuals achieve economic mobility.
