Free CVS Health Pharmacy Tech Training Program Continues to Motivate Eager Learners

Did you know the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) partners with CVS Health and Ebenezer Outreach Ministries (EOM) to offer a free Pharmacy Technician Training Program to residents and members of the community?

The five-week course is held in the state-of-the-art Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC), located inside Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 2001 Wylie Ave. in the Hill District. Students can choose to attend classes in the morning cohort from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or the evening cohort from 5 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Since the HACP launched the employment pipeline in partnership with CVS Health and EOM in 2024, the program has supported 104 HACP referrals in securing direct employment, including pharmacy technician positions and managerial roles, according to Lloyd C. Wilson Jr., HACP Resident Sustainability Manager.

“This program is a strong example of how community partnerships can transform lives,” noted Wilson. “By leveraging the expertise of CVS Health and the trusted community presence of Ebenezer Outreach Ministries, HACP has been able to provide residents with not just job placement but pathways to sustainable careers. These partnerships also demonstrate the power of collaboration in addressing economic mobility and workforce development.”

Ebenezer Outreach Ministries also provides participants with supportive wraparound services, which help residents stay engaged and overcome barriers. These services include a health clinic, food pantry, daycare, after-school programs and transportation assistance.

Qualified participants must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, possess a valid driver’s license or state-issued ID, pass a drug and background screening, and attend a mandatory open house, which determines participant readiness and commitment to the program, according to program Co-Director and Daytime Instructor Chris Ransome.

“This program is investment-based, meaning that instead of charging students tuition, it awards qualified individuals the opportunity to attend at no cost — making it especially valuable for people in underserved communities who want to build a career without taking on debt,” Ransome added.

The fast-paced training program covers a comprehensive range of topics to prepare students for the workforce, including pharmacy basics, pharmacy law and ethics, the top 200 common drugs, pharmacy math, customer service and interactions, and job readiness skills. It includes 96 hours of in-person, hands-on training, and a 40-hour externship at CVS Pharmacy.

At a recent open house, Ny’Jae Albrecht, a former medical assistant, said she was joining the program because she wanted to work toward a new career and get a breath of fresh air.

“I wanted to let people know that my color really matters in this world, and I want people to know if I can do it, they can do it,” she added. “I don’t just want a job; I want a career.”

Recent program graduates Ericka Morris and Ian Brown, both certified medical technicians, said they joined the program to make a difference and change their career paths.

“This is a life-changing experience for me,” Brown noted. “It’s refreshing to know that even at 35 I’m still able to change and have a career.”

They advise future program participants to show up on time, prepare, and be ready to learn.

“They give you everything you need to succeed,” Morris said. “Your part is to get up and go toward it. Get up, get ready, and be willing to learn, and it’s going to be given to you.”

Ransome has been a Pharmacy Technician since 2014. He got involved with the program because he saw how limited access to healthcare, job opportunities, and career education affected so many people around him while he was growing up.

A graduate of Bidwell Training Center, Ransome said the program stood out as a chance to change that cycle.

He advises students to understand what a pharmacy technician does, be prepared to learn medical and technical content, as well as strengthen math and memorization skills, and take the class seriously.

“Becoming a pharmacy technician is more than just getting a job, it’s about stepping into a career where you’re trusted, respected, and truly helping people every day. The program gave me the training, support, and confidence I needed to succeed in a field I never thought I’d be a part of,” he said. “I encourage others to sign up because it’s a real opportunity to improve your quality of life, not just financially, but in terms of stability, purpose, and growth.”

For more information on the program, please contact Resident Sustainability Manager Lloyd C. Wilson Jr. at: 412-643-2761, or call or text Daytime Instructor Chris Ransome and Evening Instructor Brandon Alexander at: 412-254-4202.