Published September 15, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Healthcare Workforce Development Should Begin Before College
If the workforce pipeline is the problem, waiting until college to build it is a late start. A case for earlier, structured exposure.
By Sonny Marmon
The pipeline problem is partly a timing problem
Healthcare repeatedly announces workforce shortages and then builds pipelines that begin at college age or later. Respectfully: that's late.
Interest forms early
The decision to pursue a career rarely begins when someone enrolls. It forms through exposure, confidence, and role models — often years earlier. By college age, many students have already ruled healthcare in or out.
Readiness can be built
A motivated 16-year-old can develop real professional skills: reliability, communication, customer service, data literacy, and familiarity with healthcare operations. These are foundational, age-appropriate, and valuable whether or not the student later enters a clinical path.
The structural case
Earlier development widens the funnel, improves retention, and — for employers — builds a pipeline of candidates who arrive with both interest and basic readiness. The workforce question is better answered by starting sooner.
The necessary caveat
None of this argues for weakening safety, licensing, or labor protections. It argues for creating more responsible on-ramps where meaningful work can genuinely happen before 18.
Written by Sonny Marmon · Views and personal experience unless cited.