TORONTO, March 3, 2025 /CNW/ - To help businesses respond to current and looming economic challenges, eCampusOntario is partnering with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable and FutureFit AI to provide one-stop-shop access to its 53-member post-secondary institutions in Ontario to help businesses easily access workforce training, research support, and advanced technology adoption.

What You Should Know:– Intermountain Health, a healthcare provider, has been awarded a $1.9 million grant from Colorado’s Opportunity Now program.– The grant will be used to launch Pathfinders, an innovative initiative designed to address workforce shortages in the healthcare sector.Opportunity Now Colorado Grant Fuels InnovationThe Opportunity Now Colorado grant program is a Colorado government initiative designed to foster job creation and empower the state’s workforce. Intermountain Health is one of 43 grant recipients across 17 industries. The grant money will be used to develop Pathfinders, a unique program that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to connect job seekers with opportunities in healthcare.Pathfinders: Redefining Entry into Healthcare CareersPathfinders offers a comprehensive approach to bridge the skills gap in healthcare. The program targets individuals in the Denver and Grand Junction areas who are:Earning less than $15 per hourLacking a four-year college degreeUnemployedThe program extends beyond traditional demographics, specifically aiming to reach nontraditional students, full-time workers, and parents seeking career advancement.Key Features of Pathfinders:AI-powered Job Matching: FutureFit, an AI platform, assesses job seeker skills and identifies suitable career paths in healthcare.FutureFit, an AI platform, assesses job seeker skills and identifies suitable career paths in healthcare. Skills-based Hiring: Intermountain’s recruitment team utilizes FutureFit to recommend candidates based on skills and potential, ensuring a meritocratic hiring process.Intermountain’s recruitment team utilizes FutureFit to recommend candidates based on skills and potential, ensuring a meritocratic hiring process. Upskilling and Education: Pathfinders offers fully-funded tuition coverage for entry-level healthcare roles like certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, or sterile processing technicians.Pathfinders offers fully-funded tuition coverage for entry-level healthcare roles like certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, or sterile processing technicians