Phlebotomy Apprenticeship Program Opens Path for Advancement for Future Heathcare Professionals

Updated: April 28, 2025

BROWNSVILLE, TX – An eager group of students taking part in a new Phlebotomy Apprenticeship Program came together for their inaugural meeting on Monday, April 14, 2024, at the Valley AIDS Council Westbrook Clinic in Harlingen.

This first cohort, made up of five participants, was introduced to their instructor, Dr. Consuelo A. Villalon, during an orientation and informational session. Dr. Villalon provided an overview of the year-long program, explaining how it blends classroom learning with hands-on practice. She walked the group through the course structure, emphasizing the importance of mastering both technical skills and real-world applications.

The program was created through a collaboration involving Texas Southmost College, the Valley AIDS Council, Workforce Solutions Cameron, and the Texas Apprenticeship Expansion Grant. This joint effort aims to deliver a high-quality training pathway for individuals pursuing careers in phlebotomy.

“This partnership demonstrates what happens when education, healthcare, workforce development, and state resources come together with a shared vision,” said Luis C. Mascorro, Director of TSC Workforce Training and Continuing Education (WTCE) Apprenticeships. “The Valley AIDS Council had the foresight to invest in its employees’ growth, Workforce Solutions Cameron provided key support, and the Texas Apprenticeship Expansion Grant gave us the means to launch a program that will have a lasting impact. Together, we’re not just filling jobs – we’re building careers and strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure.”

Structured as a one-year registered apprenticeship, the program offers participants, many of whom already work in the healthcare field, the chance to advance their skills, earn certification, and lay the groundwork for long-term professional development. Ideally, it can serve as both a training opportunity and a stepping stone toward economic growth and career progression for the local workforce.

“Together with TSC, we are investing in our local workforce and our community,” said Wally Cantu, Executive Director of the Valley AIDS Council. “This important phlebotomy apprenticeship offers our HIV testing staff real-life, hands-on skills-development and builds their confidence to be able deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the people they test. We know that by enabling earlier HIV detection, we reduce long-term treatment costs, prevent further transmission, and improve life expectancy and quality of life.”

In a professional healthcare environment, where precision and patient rapport are vital, trained phlebotomists play a crucial role. Often serving as a patient’s first point of contact, phlebotomists must be both meticulous and empathetic, adhering strictly to safety standards. Their expertise ensures reliable test results and contributes to a more reassuring experience for patients.

This inaugural group is enthusiastic about setting the stage for those who will follow. There’s strong optimism that, as more healthcare providers see the benefits of apprenticeship training, the program will continue to expand and thrive.