Howard Community College, MD

HCC Surgical Technologist Registered Apprenticeship Program

Launched in Fall 2022, Howard Community College’s Surgical Technologist Registered Apprenticeship Program addresses critical healthcare workforce shortages across Howard County, Baltimore City, and the surrounding Maryland and District of Columbia areas through partnerships with major health systems including the University of Maryland Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, MedStar Health, and LifeBridge Health. This innovative, industry-driven program trains and certifies Surgical Technologists through a one-year Maryland Department of Labor-approved model that blends classroom and lab instruction with paid, on-the-job training, providing both high-quality education and immediate workforce integration.

The “earn and learn” model has achieved remarkable results: a 100% job placement rate, 56 apprentices trained to date, and a 93% completion rate. Completers are eligible to sit for the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) certification and earn starting wages of up to $31 an hour at their respective hospitals. With zero student debt and progressive wages throughout the program, apprentices can financially support themselves and their families while launching their new careers.

Funded through various State of Maryland grants, the program emphasizes access and equity, providing upward mobility for incumbent healthcare workers and local residents—particularly from Baltimore City and Howard County—into high-demand surgical technician roles. By reducing time and cost barriers for nontraditional students while meeting urgent employer needs, this apprenticeship offers a thoughtful example of how community colleges and employers can partner to address healthcare credentialing and workforce challenges. The model illustrates the transformative power that community college apprenticeship programs can have, and the promise in scaling and expanding apprenticeship programs at colleges across the country.