FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
June 8, 2026

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – For many San Diego residents, a stable career in healthcare feels out of reach, not because of a lack of interest or ability, but because of cost. An entry-level Medical Assistant program alone can cost thousands of dollars in tuition. A local union is changing that.

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is offering fully tuition-free training programs for San Diego residents who want to enter the healthcare field. Prospective students can attend a one-day recruitment fair on Saturday, June 13 to learn about programs, meet workforce partners, and apply on the spot.

Three career pathways are available: Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Medical Assistant. These programs can typically cost between $3,000 and $15,000 through other providers, but through this initiative, tuition is fully covered. The only costs to students are a $150 non-refundable application fee due upon acceptance and a $77 fee for a required background check and federal drug screening.

Seats are limited across all three programs, and prospective students are encouraged to apply early. Graduates receive job placement support, career coaching, and job readiness assistance. Past graduates have found employment at Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Dignity Health, CVS, and Walgreens.

“For San Diegans who’ve always wanted to work in healthcare, this is the opportunity they’ve been waiting for. You can train for a real, in-demand career without taking on a dollar of student debt,” said Veronica Gonzalez, a respiratory therapist at Sharp Grossmont Hospital and SEIU-UHW Education Ambassador.

WHAT: Tuition-free healthcare career training recruitment fair. Reporters will have opportunities to interview union leaders, workforce development partners, prospective students, and healthcare workers on-site.

WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: SEIU-UHW San Diego, 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92108

CONTACT: [email protected]

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SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 120,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.