The Governor’s Office of Workforce Development has awarded Drake State Technical College a $258,000 grant to purchase lab equipment for The Health Sciences Division. The lab is currently utilized by licensed practical nursing and certified nursing assistant students. However, the equipment will also be utilized by students of the new medical assisting program beginning in the fall 2010 semester.
According to the 2010-2011 Occupation Outlook Handbook published by the United States Department of Labor, careers in the health sciences field are some of the fastest growing in the nation. The report shows 10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations are healthcare related. Additionally, it documents that healthcare will generate 3.2 million new wage and salary jobs in the years 2008-2018, more than any other industry.
The grant will allow the college to purchase new simulation mannequins and to furnish a simulation lab, which are intended to increase a student’s critical thinking and clinical decision making skills.