Excellence Training Center Teams Up with CareerStep

Since 2023, the Excellence Training Center has been a cornerstone of emergency response education in the Shelton and New Haven, CT area. Known for delivering CPR and first aid courses that empower individuals with life-saving skills, the Center has built a reputation for reliability and excellence. But their leadership team saw an opportunity to do more: to offer their students a pathway to further their healthcare education and build lifelong careers.

To realize this vision, the Excellence Training Center partnered with CareerStep, an organization which offers healthcare education programs. This partnership has allowed the Center to expand its impact and help students take their next steps into rewarding roles such as medical assistants and phlebotomy technicians.

The partner’s journey with the growing demand to turn certifications into careers

The Excellence Training Center began with a clear mission: to train community members in CPR and first aid, ensuring they were prepared to respond in emergencies. However, as their courses continued to attract aspiring healthcare professionals, the Center saw a growing demand for opportunities beyond their certification offerings.

“Our students were hungry for more—they wanted to continue their education and turn their certifications into careers,” shared Tarah Jeunes, Director at Excellence Training Center. “We needed a partner that could provide that next level of education, while maintaining the quality and trust we’ve worked so hard to establish.”

Seamless integration and supportive partnership help ETC meet community members’ needs

The Excellence Training Center chose CareerStep because of its ability to bridge the gap between foundational certifications and advanced healthcare career training. CareerStep’s programs provided an ideal extension to the Center’s existing offerings, empowering students to build on their CPR and first aid skills with courses in medical assisting, phlebotomy, and more.

The decision was driven by several factors:

• Seamless Integration: CareerStep’s resources were easy to implement alongside the Center’s existing courses, creating a smooth transition for students eager to continue their education.

• Focused Healthcare Training: Programs like the Medical Assistant and Phlebotomy Technician courses aligned perfectly with the Center’s goal of preparing students for healthcare related roles.

• Supportive Partnership: CareerStep’s team worked closely with the Center to ensure a tailored approach that fit their students’ unique needs.

Goals and early successes

The Excellence Training Center set ambitious goals for their CareerStep partnership, and the early results have been inspiring:

• Expanded Opportunities for Students: Graduates of the Center’s CPR and first aid courses now have a clear pathway to continue their healthcare journey.

• Higher Retention and Engagement: Students appreciate the opportunity to stay connected with the Center while pursuing additional training.

• Positive Student Outcomes: Early graduates of CareerStep’s programs report feeling prepared for their new careers, thanks to the comprehensive training and resources provided.

Juenes reflected on the impact so far: “CareerStep has been a game-changer for our students and our organization. We’ve been able to offer so much more than we could on our own, and our students are thriving because of it.”

Looking ahead

The partnership between Excellence Training Center and CareerStep is just beginning. With plans to add even more advanced healthcare courses in the future, the Center is committed to helping students achieve their full potential.

“We’ve always been about empowering our community,” Tarah shared. “Now, with CareerStep, we’re not just preparing people to save lives—we’re helping them build careers.”

Partner with CareerStep to expand course offerings

Excellence Training Center’s story is a powerful example of how the right partnership can elevate an organization’s impact. By working with CareerStep, they’ve created a continuum of education that supports students from their first certifications all the way to career-ready training.

If you’re inspired by the success of Excellence Training Center and their partnership with CareerStep, why not explore what’s possible for your institution? Learn more about how we support academic institutions like yours. Schedule a meeting with one of our Partner Success Managers today to discuss your goals.

Want to hear directly from Excellence Training Center?

Watch our interview with Tarah Jeunes, RN, to learn more about how this partnership is creating new opportunities for students. She shares insights on their experience with CareerStep, best practices for success, and the impact on their students’ futures. Click here to watch.