The proverbial ‘war for talent’ is an omnipresent phenomenon in business, irrespective of the industry. It’s the organization that finds a creative answer to the problem that finally is able to prosper by leveraging the potential of the best in the work force. SSM Healthcare is an inspiring example of a solution that nurtures a pool of talented manpower. The fact that this solution stems from a belief in making a positive change in the lives of people ensures that this model is sustainable.
Innovation
SSM Healthcare, one of the largest Catholic Helathcare Systems in the country, was faced with the problems experienced by most organizations: aging workforce, shortage of talent externally, and inadequacy of skills to fill in the positions internally. Instead of reacting to this dearth of talent, SSM Healthcare decided to proactively generate a steady flow of skilled manpower by creating ‘SSM University’.
SSM University offers programs for employees to enhance their job and interpersonal skills while on the job and enables SSM Health Care to develop leaders throughout its organization. The University offers a wide range of programs, including leadership education for executives and new supervisors, continuing education for middle managers, as well as coaching programs for everyone. For entry-level employees, SSM University offers skills to help them grow and move into advanced positions.
The most successful initiative of the university is its partnership with Catalyst Learning Company, a provider of education for entry-level workers in healthcare. Through them SSM University has institutionalized its ‘School At Work’ (SAW) program. The School at Work (SAW) program is an eight-month educational opportunity for entry-level workers. The course covers basic math, basic english, anatomy, medical terminology, basic computer skills and information about health-care careers. SAW allows individuals to grow as SSM employees and move into more advanced positions or prepare for enrollment in continuing education courses. The class meets weekly for two hours and is taught by fellow employees who are trained to be coaches and mentors.
The organization has also partnered with the Fontbonne University to enable employees to take courses leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees without ever leaving their place of work.
Impact
The School At Work program was rolled out for the first year in 2006 to five different hospitals in the SSM Health Care System. An impressive 100% of the people who went through SAW at all five hospitals graduated as compared to the national average of 69.8%. So far, over half of the SAW graduates in Illinois have enrolled in continuing education at the local community college. The proliferation of the benefits into the community is as simple but powerful as the SAW graduate being able to help her children with their homework.
Nationally, Catalyst Learning who offers the SAW curriculum, says that 33% of SAW graduates go on to continuing education, and 27% of SAW graduates go on to another job within the hospital. Of those who stay in their current job, 63% show an improvement in job performance and 38% show an improvement in attendance.
The program also helps encourage camaraderie amongst fellow workers. As they continue on in further studies in other programs, they encourage and tutor one another.
Considering that 50-60% of the SAW students are non-Caucasian, the program helps the organization have a diversified workforce to care for its diverse patient population, at the same time offering education in a supportive environment to those who otherwise might not have had the opportunity. The organization achieves a return on investment by being able to increase employee retention and fill clinical, clerical and support positions with qualified candidates who already are familiar with SSM Health Care, reducing turnover costs by as much as 50%.
Inspiration
The organization espouses the philosophy of “Leaders Developing Leaders”, which is lucid in the implementation of the SAW program. Because the course is administered by fellow employees who are trained to be coaches and mentors to the employees participating in the School At Work program aligns perfectly with the organization’s philosophy.
The honest desire for betterment in the community and positive impact on people is evident by the fact that as a result of a skill-enhancement through the program many employees move to better jobs. But the organization still takes pride in the thought that it made a difference in someone’s life. By restoring the belief in the employees that it’s never too late to become what you might have been, SSM Healthcare is not only increasing its profitability but generating a truly positive change in the world.
The World Inquiry editorial team edited this profile from the original submission of the interviewer or other source. The views expressed do not necessarily represent Case Western Reserve University, the Weatherhead School of Management or the Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. More >>
