Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare

What Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare does

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) is a nonprofit workforce intermediary founded in 2005 to address parallel challenges of regional healthcare labor shortages and urban unemployment in Baltimore, Maryland. The organization operates a free training-to-employment pipeline that prepares unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents for entry-level and allied healthcare careers, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technologist, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician, and Central Sterile Processing roles. BACH serves four primary user groups: unemployed/underemployed adults, Baltimore-area high school students, incumbent healthcare workers seeking advancement, and healthcare employers (hospitals, nursing homes, and health systems).

BACH delivers value through three core programs: the BACH Training Institute (certification training), the Apprenticeship Program (earn-and-learn registered apprenticeships), and the BACH Fellows program (paid summer internships for high school students). Training is delivered through instructional partners including Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) and Mindful Practice Phlebotomy, with clinical practicums hosted at employer partner facilities. The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its core capability is the coordination of federal and state workforce development grants, employer demand signals, training provider capacity, and participant career coaching into a unified pipeline. BACH has served over 1,000 participants cumulatively (FY2022-2024) with an 85%+ post-training employment rate and an average hourly wage of $17+.

Revenue is derived primarily from government grants, including U.S. Department of Labor funding ($827,905 FY2023 Community Project Grant), Maryland Congressional appropriations ($828,000), EARN Maryland state funding, and the Mayor's Office of Employment Development's Train Up program, supplemented by employer membership fees, a recently introduced fee-for-service model, philanthropic donations (including $158,000 raised during BACH's 20th anniversary), and foundation grants (Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Leidy Foundation). BACH is led by CEO Karen Heyward-West (promoted from Executive Director in 2025) and governed by a board chaired by Mathew P. Trojanowski of MedStar Harbor Hospital. The organization operates with 1-10 employees from its Baltimore headquarters.

Name

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare

Legal name

Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare

Website

https://baltimorealliance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BACH is a Baltimore-based nonprofit workforce intermediary founded in 2005 that provides free healthcare career training, registered apprenticeships, and job placement to unemployed and underemployed residents, funded primarily by federal and state grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Training Grants (Public Health) (HLAJALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC), Nursing Assistant (CNA) & Patient Care Technician (PCT) (EDAOAJAB), Sterile Processing & Central Service (SPD/CS) (EDAOAJAG)

Keywords

• Healthcare workforce training
• Apprenticeship programs
• Workforce development services
• Healthcare career pathways
• Employer pipeline partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Federal Appropriations: BACH's primary revenue stream consists of federal and state workforce development grants. FY2023 Community Project Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor provided $827,905 for certified training at no cost to participants. Congressional appropriation of $828,000 expanded training slots by 160 in areas including LPN, Surgical Technicians, and Patient Care Technicians. Funding through the Apprenticeship Building America initiative (nearly $23 million statewide allocation benefiting BACH among other grantees) supports apprenticeship expansion.
2. Fee-for-Service Model: Under CEO Karen Heyward-West's leadership, BACH introduced a new fee-for-service model to diversify income streams in addition to grant funding.
3. Employer Membership Fees: BACH offers employer membership with tiers that provide workforce pipeline access, apprenticeship sponsorship, and recruitment services to healthcare organizations. Membership includes access to trained and certified job candidates, custom workforce development solutions, and recognition as a BACH partner.
4. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: BACH accepts charitable donations through its website, with Giving Tuesday campaigns and general fundraising efforts. The organization raised $158,000 during its 20th-anniversary celebration. Donations are used to fund training slots, laptops, equipment, and clinical uniforms for participants.
5. EARN Maryland Funding: BACH receives ongoing funding through Maryland Department of Labor's EARN (Employment Advancement and Retention Network) Program, which funds CNA/GNA, Patient Care Tech, and Pharmacy Tech training programs for Maryland residents with a 70% completion rate across 90+ participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

BACH provides free certified healthcare workforce training and registered apprenticeship programs to Baltimore City residents at no cost to participants. The organization also operates an employer membership program through which healthcare systems access a pre-screened pipeline of trained candidates, sponsorship of apprenticeship tracks, and custom workforce development solutions.

Product overview

BACH is a workforce development organization offering a portfolio of healthcare training programs. The core offering is the BACH Training Institute, which provides free certified healthcare training at no cost to participants. Programs include Apprenticeship (earn-and-learn), BACH Fellows (youth summer internship), and Pre-Employment Training (EARN Maryland). Training tracks span Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician, Central Sterile Processing, Surgical Technology, and other healthcare professions. Programs are funded through federal grants including U.S. Department of Labor funding ($827,905) and Congressional appropriations ($828,000).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BACH Training Institute A workforce training institute providing free certified healthcare training programs at no cost to participants, including Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Central Sterile Processing Technician, Medical Assistant, Environmental Care Technician, Dental Assistant, Patient Advocate, Community Health Worker, and Peer Recovery Specialist programs. Training is delivered through partnerships with the Community College of Baltimore County and other training providers, with 100% of training costs funded by U.S. Department of Labor grants and Congressional appropriations.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program An earn-and-learn registered apprenticeship program providing healthcare credentials for Environmental Care Supervisor, Surgical Technologist, Central Sterile Processing Technician, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Medical Assistant roles. Pioneered in 2017 when BACH was among the first organizations to sign on to Maryland's registered apprenticeship program. Apprentices earn wages while completing nationally recognized certifications with employer-sponsor hospital partners including Johns Hopkins, LifeBridge, University of Maryland Medical Center, and MedStar.
• BACH Fellows Youth Summer Internship Program A five-week paid summer internship program for rising Baltimore-area high school juniors and seniors that introduces approximately 35 students annually to healthcare careers through hospital shadowing, mentoring, and hands-on exposure at partner hospitals including Johns Hopkins, MedStar, Mercy, St. Agnes, Sinai, Good Samaritan, UM Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute, and St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Delivered in partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools CTE Program and Mayor's Office of Employment Development YouthWorks program.
• EARN Maryland Pre-Employment Training Pre-employment training programs funded by the Maryland Department of Labor's EARN (Employment Advancement and Retention Network) Program, connecting Maryland residents to employment opportunities in frontline healthcare roles including CNA/GNA, Patient Care Technician, and Pharmacy Technician. Reported enrollment of 90+ participants with a 70% completion rate, conducted at CCBC's Randallstown campus.
• Healthcare Employer Membership Program A tiered employer membership program offering healthcare organizations workforce pipeline access, apprenticeship sponsorship, and recruitment of pre-screened, certified healthcare candidates. Membership provides access to BACH Training Institute graduates, custom workforce development solutions, and partnership recognition. Current employer members include LifeBridge Health, Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, MedStar Health, Genesis HealthCare, Autumn Lake Healthcare, and TidalHealth.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ participant employment rate post-training (FY2022-2024)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TidalHealthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026TidalHealth joined as a BACH employer partner in April 2026. It is a regional healthcare system serving Maryland and the Delmarva Peninsula, offering primary care, emergency care, specialty medicine, and hospital services.
• Associated Black CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Associated Black Charities partnered with BACH to lead sessions on goal setting at the April 2026 apprenticeship hub meeting, emphasizing clear, actionable goals and introducing practical formulas for achievement.
• Springboard Community ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Springboard's Youth Resource Center partnered with BACH for the 2023 BACH Fellows Summer Internship Program, providing food, laundry, case management, safe space, and support services for program participants. Springboard also provides group and individual case management for Grads2Careers participants.
• LifeBridge HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifeBridge Health is a major BACH employer partner providing apprenticeship placements and clinical training sites. LifeBridge Sinai Hospital serves as a clinical site for BACH's Grads2Careers medical assistant program. LifeBridge also generously provides meeting space for BACH's in-person apprenticeship hub meetings, demonstrating deep operational support for BACH's programming.
• Johns Hopkins HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJohns Hopkins Hospital is a founding BACH employer partner and one of the largest apprenticeship host sites. The hospital provides apprenticeship placements for Environmental Care Supervisor, Medical Assistant, and other healthcare roles. BACH has served on JHH's board for over 15 years through Deborah Rowe, VP Nursing Workforce Development.
• University of Maryland Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUMMC is a key BACH employer partner and clinical practicum site. It hosts Central Sterile Processing apprenticeships, Patient Care Technician clinicals, and phlebotomy training. UMMC recognized two BACH alumni with Outstanding Nursing Support Staff awards at its annual Nursing Excellence Awards.
• MedStar HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedStar Health is a BACH employer partner, with MedStar Harbor Hospital providing internship placements for BACH Fellows and apprenticeships. Anthony A. Meador, VP of MedStar Harbor Hospital, serves on BACH's executive board as Vice President of Operations.
• Genesis HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenesis HealthCare has served as a BACH employer partner for over 15 years. Deborah Rowe, VP Nursing Workforce Development at Genesis, served as BACH board chair and continues as a Program Committee member, contributing strategic oversight to BACH's workforce development initiatives.
• Mayor's Office of Employment Development (MOED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaltimore City's workforce development agency partners with BACH on the Train Up program (50 participants in phlebotomy, PCT, EMT, multi-skilled medical technician) and the YouthWorks program (BACH Fellows summer internships). MOED Director Mackenzie Garvin participates in BACH symposiums and panel discussions.
• Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCBC Randallstown Campus is the primary classroom training site for BACH-sponsored CNA/GNA, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant, and Patient Care Technician programs. CCBC instructors provide academic instruction that complements employer-provided clinical training.
• Maryland Hospital AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBACH re-engaged the Maryland Hospital Association as a strategic partner under Karen Heyward-West's leadership, strengthening advocacy and sector-wide coordination for healthcare workforce development in Maryland.
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)minorOthersNHA administers the national certification exams for BACH graduates, including the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) credentials. BACH participants sit for NHA exams upon completing their training programs.
• Mindful Practice PhlebotomyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for BACH's phlebotomy track under the MOED Train Up program. Classes held in Catonsville on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Baltimore City Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaltimore City Schools CTE Program is a core partner in the BACH Fellows summer internship program, providing student referrals and coordinating with the YouthWorks employment program.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SEIU Healthcare PA Training & Education Fund: A Pennsylvania-based training fund providing healthcare career pathways and apprenticeship programs for SEIU healthcare workers. Comparable to BACH as a union-affiliated healthcare training intermediary that operates registered apprenticeship programs and employer-partnered placement pipelines.
• Healthcare Career Advancement Program (HCAP): A Chicago-based healthcare workforce intermediary that designs and operates apprenticeship programs in hospitals and health systems, training frontline workers in roles like CNA, surgical tech, and medical assistant. Closely aligned with BACH's earn-and-learn apprenticeship model and healthcare employer partnership approach.
• Jewish Healthcare Foundation: A Pittsburgh-based foundation operating the Pittsburgh Regional Health Workforce Partnership and supporting apprenticeship and career pathway programs in healthcare. Comparable to BACH as a regional health-focused workforce intermediary that convenes employers, training providers, and funders around talent pipeline initiatives.
• District 1199J Training and Upgrading Fund: A Baltimore-area healthcare worker training fund affiliated with 1199J that provides apprenticeship, credentialing, and career advancement services to hospital and nursing home workers. Directly comparable to BACH as a regional healthcare workforce intermediary operating in the same Baltimore labor market with overlapping employer base.
• 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund: A major New York City-based healthcare training fund serving 1199C union members and other healthcare workers with tuition-free training in nursing, allied health, and behavioral health. Comparable to BACH as a union-aligned healthcare workforce intermediary that combines classroom instruction with employer-partnered career pathways.

Broad incumbents

• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS): A multi-city workforce development organization providing skills training, career coaching, and job placement across healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. Comparable to BACH in delivering free, employer-aligned workforce training programs with wraparound support services for underemployed job seekers.
• National Fund for Workforce Solutions: A national intermediary that supports sector-based workforce partnerships across healthcare, manufacturing, IT, and other industries. Comparable to BACH at a higher level as the network convener and funder of many local sector intermediaries that operate similar employer-partnered apprenticeship and training models.

Regional players

• Apprenticeship Maryland (Maryland DOL): The Maryland Department of Labor's statewide youth apprenticeship program that connects high school students to employer partners across industries including healthcare. Comparable to BACH as a registered apprenticeship sponsor in Maryland, though broader in scope and run by the state rather than an independent intermediary.

Emerging players

• Year Up: A national workforce development nonprofit that trains young adults aged 18-24 for corporate careers through a year-long program combining skills training, mentorship, and internships. Comparable to BACH in operating a tuition-free training-to-employment pipeline with employer partnership model, though focused on a younger demographic and broader industry scope.

Others

• Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere): A global health nonprofit that also runs workforce development programs, particularly focused on building healthcare worker capacity in underserved communities. Comparable to BACH thematically through the intersection of healthcare access and workforce development, though Project HOPE's primary focus is international health systems strengthening.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bach_org
• Facebookfacebook.com/BACHORG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bach-baltimore
• Instagraminstagram.com/BACH_org

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare