There's a smarter model gaining real traction, and it doesn't involve another sign-on bonus or a travel contract.
The Size of the Problem Hospitals Are Dealing With
The data isn't subtle. A 2022 survey of 300 healthcare executives found workforce shortages to be the top concern in U.S. hospitals, with 83% naming a shortage of technologists as a staffing problem. Meanwhile, 58% of healthcare leaders said they were finding it more difficult to hire new surgical technologists.
That difficulty isn't easing up. At Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine, the surgical tech shortage is on par with the nursing shortage.
“Earlier this year, there were open positions for more than 25 out of approximately 240 surgical tech roles across the system.”
– Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System
Overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034 – faster than the average for all occupations – with roughly 8,700 openings projected each year over the decade. Those openings need to be filled by people who are trained, certified, and ready to work. The pipeline to produce them has to be deliberately built, and it won't fill itself.
Why Employer-Sponsored Training Closes the Gap Faster
Waiting for candidates to self-fund a one-to-two-year associate degree, pass a certification exam, and show up certified and ready is a passive strategy in an active shortage. The health systems seeing results are those investing in the pipeline itself.
“We think earn-to-learn is proving to be a big success, and I think it will continue to be a big success as we move forward.”
– Kevin Mahoney, CEO of the University of Pennsylvania Health System
He noted that the model marks a shift away from long-held norms in healthcare, where individuals are on their own to navigate the path to certification for technical roles.
That's a health system chief executive describing, in plain terms, why the old model doesn't hold up – and why sponsored training is worth the investment.
No-Cost Training for Your Talent Pipeline
Health Tech Academy is an approved training provider with American Job Centers nationwide. Our Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-Funded Surgical Tech Program can expand your talent pipeline at no cost to qualifying candidates.
Learn About WIOA Funding →Hear from One of Our Students
The WIOA Funding Model: What Hospitals Often Miss
Training doesn't have to cost hospitals anything, and it doesn't have to cost candidates anything either.
WIOA is the largest single source of federal funding for workforce development activities, administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL's) Employment and Training Administration (ETA). It is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services – and to match employers with the skilled workers they need.
That removes one of the biggest friction points in the talent pipeline: the financial barrier that keeps qualified, motivated people from ever starting.
For hospitals, the value compounds quickly. Rather than paying premium rates for travel contractors or leaving surgical suites understaffed, a WIOA-aligned partnership creates a steady, local, cost-effective flow of certification-ready candidates – ones who are also more likely to stick around because they came through a structured program with built-in career support.
What Scalable No-Cost Training Delivers
Scalability is the word that separates a workforce strategy from a staffing band-aid. One-off hiring pushes don't solve structural shortages. Sustainable pipelines do.
“People talk about the workforce shortage of the future. There's only a workforce shortage of the future if you don't do anything today.”
– Michael Dowling, President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwell Health
That's the operating principle behind employer-connected training programs that run on federal funding. The upfront investment of building a pipeline partnership is offset almost immediately by what hospitals stop spending:
- Reduced reliance on agency staff.
- Lower time-to-fill on open roles.
- Shorter onboarding curves.
- Meaningful retention gains from candidates who feel invested in from day one.
Research consistently shows that employees who see a clear path forward within an organization stay longer. Structured, credential-based training compresses the time-to-competency gap – the period between hire date and full clinical capacity –significantly, getting staff to full productivity faster.
Ready to Build Your Surgical Tech Pipeline?
Health Tech Academy's Surgical Tech Program covers sterile technique, surgical procedures, anatomy and physiology, patient safety, and certification prep aligned to the National Center for Competency Testing's (NCCT's) Surgical Technologist Certified (TS-C) exam.
Explore the Program →It's self-paced, fully online for the didactic components, and backed by one-on-one coaching and career placement support, which means candidates arrive better prepared and employers spend less time bringing them up to speed.
Get Your Hands on No-Cost Training
The surgical tech shortage is a structural problem that requires a structural response. Employer-connected, federally funded training programs change the math: instead of competing for a fixed pool of certified candidates, hospitals can help build the pool. The WIOA model makes that scalable, sustainable, and accessible without putting the financial burden on the candidates you need most. That's how most health systems are already operating.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is a WIOA-Funded Surgical Tech Training Program for Hospitals?
A WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act)-funded surgical tech training program is a federally subsidized pathway that allows qualifying individuals – typically unemployed or underemployed adults – to complete surgical technologist training at no cost. Health Tech Academy partners with American Job Centers nationwide to deliver this training online, with the goal of channeling certified candidates into healthcare employer pipelines.
How Does WIOA Training Benefit Hospitals Specifically?
Hospitals gain access to a steady stream of trained, certification-ready candidates without bearing training costs themselves. Sponsored or pipeline-connected training also reduces time-to-productivity for new hires, lowers reliance on expensive travel staff, and tends to improve retention since candidates have a structured support system from the start.
Who Qualifies for WIOA-Funded Training?
Eligibility generally includes adults aged 14 and older with a high school diploma or GED equivalent who are unemployed, underemployed, or receiving government food or cash assistance. A WIOA admissions advisor can confirm eligibility and available grant funding for specific candidates or regions.
Does Health Tech Academy's Surgical Tech Program Require Prior Healthcare Experience?
No. Prior clinical experience is not required for enrollment. The program is built for individuals entering the healthcare field from scratch, as well as career changers who want a structured, accelerated path to certification.
What Certification Does the Program Prepare Candidates for?
Health Tech Academy's Surgical Tech Bootcamp prepares students for the NCCT TS-C (Surgical Technologist Certified) exam – a nationally recognized credential that qualifies graduates to apply for surgical tech roles in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty clinics.
How Long Does the Surgical Tech Training Program Take?
The program runs on a self-paced model. Most students complete it within 16 weeks, though motivated candidates with scheduling flexibility may move through the coursework faster.
What is the Difference Between WIOA-Funded Training and Traditional Associate Degree Programs?
Traditional associate degree programs in surgical technology typically run one to two years and carry tuition costs. WIOA-funded bootcamp programs like HTA's are designed for faster entry into the workforce – often 16 weeks – and are fully covered by federal grant funding for qualifying students. The credentialing pathways differ, so employers should confirm which certifications align with their hiring requirements before directing candidates to a specific program.
