Trend: Auto workers train for healthcare jobs

A growing number of former auto-industry workers who accepted buyouts from auto makers are now looking into healthcare jobs. The workers include former Ford employees, many of whom accepted a buyout package which included $15,000 over four years for retraining. They're doing so, in part, because healthcare salaries can meet or exceed the average $52,000 annual salaries they're used to receiving.

About half of the workers accepting Ford's retraining-oriented package have gone into nursing programs, with others training for radiology, dental hygiene and pharmacology positions. This trend holds true for other former auto manufacturing employees, too, according to Michigan colleges and United Auto Workers officials.

To learn more about this trend:
- read this Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report piece

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