The collaboration aims to address workforce shortages in the state’s medical laboratory technology through a phased initiative.
Ivy Tech Community College and Roche Diagnostics have come together for a medical laboratory technology workforce initiative that will help address the state’s current shortage of workers in that field. The phased initiative will focus on recruiting and retaining qualified individuals to serve clinical laboratory professionals in Indiana.
According to an article on Ivy Tech Community College’s website, Dr. Marty Pollio, who serves as the president of Ivy Tech Community College, was quoted as saying of the partnership, “Ivy Tech is committed to delivering accessible, workforce-aligned education that meets the needs of Indiana employers and communities. This partnership creates new opportunities to prepare more skilled laboratory professionals while helping students connect their education to meaningful careers.”
Adria Harris, the Head of People & Culture at Roche Diagnostics North America, echoed these sentiments, saying, “By listening to our customers and partners across Indiana, we heard clearly about the workforce challenges they face. This partnership reflects Roche’s commitment to investing in the workforce infrastructure that ultimately supports better patient care and stronger healthcare systems.”
The partnership is planned to take the form of two distinct phases. The first phase will focus on expanding awareness and access of and for medical laboratory technology positions as a career. The second phase will establish the Roche MedTech Fellows Program, which will further expand access to training and career opportunities.
In the first phase, an awareness campaign will run for the second half of 2026 that will increase understanding of medical laboratory careers for potential students. The campaign will be funded by Roche Diagnostics. Additionally, the organization is establishing the Roche Diagnostics Corporation Scholarship during Phase I that will increase access to the training needed for the field. The scholarship will award $1,000 scholarships to 50 students who are pursuing Medical Laboratory Technology credentials at any Ivy Tech Community College campus.
In Phase II, the proposed Roche MedTech Fellows Program will further develop. The Roche MedTech Fellows Program will be an earn-and-learn program that will provide students who are in the Medical Laboratory Technology program with paid employment with Roche Diagnostics while they are still in school. Students would be able to gain hands-on experience in the field, bolstering the qualifications of those who intend to work in medical laboratory technology positions in the state of Indiana following their graduation. Roche Diagnostics is currently seeking the input of healthcare systems, hospitals, laboratories, and other employers in shaping the fellowship program.
For more information about Ivy Tech Community College, visit the school’s website.