Building Workforce Pathways: OnTrack Innovations for Career Growth and Multilingual Learners

April 2026

Building Workforce Pathways: OnTrack Innovations for Career Growth and Multilingual Learners

On April 14, 2026 by Anna Mowry

In the first months of 2026, the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation expanded its OnTrack training programs with new innovations designed to strengthen the aging services workforce.

Building on a model that has trained more than 10,000 nursing assistants, these efforts now support career advancement for a new career track—Trained Medication Aides (TMAs)—and also improve training outcomes for multilingual Nursing Assistant (CNA) learners across Minnesota. As implementation begins, early interest from providers and partners signals strong potential for broader impact.

Expanding Career Pathways with TMA Training

Earlier this year, OnTrack introduced a new Trained Medication Aide (TMA) training program, approved by the Minnesota Department of Health. This hybrid model combines online and in-person learning to create a flexible pathway for caregivers to advance their careers while helping organizations meet growing workforce needs.

Developed in response to provider and workforce partner feedback, the TMA program is already being adopted by organizations seeking accessible, scalable training solutions.

This model also creates opportunities beyond traditional providers. Community-based organizations (CBOs), workforce agencies, and regional collaboratives can partner with employers or establish training programs themselves to expand access to career pathways.

Strengthening Outcomes for Multilingual Learners

OnTrack has also expanded support for multilingual learners in Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs, addressing a key barrier facing many capable individuals entering the field.

To better support learners whose first language is not English, OnTrack now offers key training materials in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, alongside standard English instruction.

This approach maintains all existing standards while improving how learners engage with the material:

All instruction and competency expectations remain in English
Skills assessments reflect real-world care environments
Translated Learning Journals and supplemental resources in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong reinforce comprehension

Additional supports, including translated practice exams and introductory and test preparation materials, help learners build confidence, strengthen understanding, and succeed within the same expectations.

A Growing Opportunity for Partnership

These innovations represent scalable, field-tested solutions to workforce challenges across Minnesota. For funders, community-based organzations, and workforce partners, they offer ways to:

Expand access to healthcare career pathways
Support multilingual learners, including Spanish-, Somali-, and Hmong-speaking individuals
Strengthen regional workforce pipelines through partnership models
Invest in approaches that maintain high standards while improving outcomes

With support from the Minnesota Department of Human Services GEAR Division and the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation, multilingual training materials are available at no cost for a limited time.

Get Involved

As these new models and innovations gain traction, there is a timely opportunity to expand workforce development efforts. Community-based organizations, workforce partners, and employers interested in launching or participating in an OnTrack program are encouraged to connect.

To explore starting a program or partnering with OnTrack:

Leading Change • Changing Lives
LeadingAge Minnesota is driven to transform and enhance the experience of aging. Together with more than 50,000 caregivers, our 1,100 members provide quality care, service and support to nearly 70,000 older adults in all the places they call home.
LeadingAge Minnesota is the state partner of LeadingAge and state affiliate of Argentum.