Healthcare systems across the U.S. are facing a persistent and worsening medical worker shortage, particularly in allied health roles that keep hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers running. Rural access gaps, rising tuition costs, and skepticism about the ROI of traditional degrees are colliding with urgent employer demand. At the same time, momentum is building around short-term credentials, hybrid training models, and the anticipated expansion of Workforce Pell—creating a rare window for higher education and employers to rethink how talent is trained and deployed.

Could experiential, hybrid learning, built in close partnership with employers, address today’s healthcare vacancies while also creating clear pathways into nursing and other advanced careers?

That question is at the heart of the latest episode of Signals in Higher Ed, hosted by Darin Francis. In this episode, Francis is joined by Jason Aubrey, founder and CEO of Skilltrade, as they explore how experiential learning models can directly address the medical worker shortage while reshaping higher education’s role in workforce development.

Together, they unpack how Skilltrade blends immersive online curriculum with in-person, hands-on labs delivered through partnerships with colleges, healthcare employers, and workforce agencies—creating faster, more affordable pathways into high-demand healthcare careers.

What you’ll learn…

Why awareness, accessibility, and ROI are the real bottlenecks

Aubrey explains that many healthcare roles—like sterile processing or medical assisting—are “hidden gem” careers, offering strong wages and advancement potential but suffering from low awareness and limited access through traditional degree programs.

How hybrid, experiential learning improves outcomes

Skilltrade combines virtual simulations, AI-driven patient interactions, and real clinical lab experiences, ensuring learners build confidence and competence before ever stepping into a job.

The power of three-sided partnerships

By aligning higher education institutions, employers, and workforce agencies, Skilltrade helps unlock public and philanthropic funding, reduce student debt, and give employers a reliable pipeline of trained talent.

Jason Aubrey is a workforce development and edtech leader with a proven track record of scaling tech-enabled education and healthcare businesses, driving organizational change, and building employer-aligned talent pipelines. He previously led MedCerts to a successful acquisition by Stride, Inc., served as CEO of ClearGage, and has held leadership roles across product, sales, and go-to-market strategy in global education and technology companies. A University of Michigan graduate, Aubrey is also a repeat founder, investor, advisor, and board member, known for bridging higher education, employers, and workforce systems through innovative, outcomes-driven training models.