Concorde Career Colleges and Marquis Companies Continue Successful Partnership to Meet Oregon's Nursing Demand

Rhea-AI Summary

Concorde Career Colleges and Marquis Companies are extending their successful partnership to address Oregon's nursing shortage through the 'Peak Pathways Career Development' program. Eligible Marquis employees can receive a $12,000 forgivable student loan to attend Concorde's Portland campus nursing program, with $4,000 forgiven for each year of service post-graduation. The partnership, initiated during the pandemic, has already produced 13 graduates with 12 more currently enrolled. Marquis employees must meet strict eligibility criteria, including 6+ months tenure and good standing. The program addresses the growing demand for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the Portland Tri-County area, which projects 9.8% job growth from 2023-2033. Marquis plans to optimize the program by moving to larger annual cohorts to enhance peer support and collaboration.

Positive

• Program offers $12,000 forgivable student loans to employees, improving accessibility to nursing education
• Partnership has successfully produced 13 graduates with 12 more currently enrolled
• Strong projected job growth of 9.8% for LPNs in Portland Tri-County area (2023-2033)
• Program helps Marquis reduce recruiting costs and improve employee retention

Negative

• None.

Insights

Education & Healthcare Workforce Analyst

UTI's Concorde Career Colleges partnership with Marquis provides $12,000 forgivable loans, creating sustainable nursing talent pipeline in high-demand market.

The continuation of the strategic partnership between Concorde Career Colleges (owned by UTI) and Marquis Companies represents an innovative workforce development model addressing Oregon's nursing shortage. Through Marquis' "Peak Pathways Career Development" program, eligible employees receive $12,000 forgivable loans to attend Concorde's nursing program, with $4,000 forgiven for each year of service after graduation.

This partnership demonstrates exceptional ROI potential for both organizations. For UTI/Concorde, it secures a steady enrollment pipeline of pre-vetted students with demonstrated workplace reliability. For Marquis, it creates a sustainable talent development channel while reducing recruitment costs and improving retention in a field experiencing 9.8% projected job growth through 2033 in the Portland area.

The program's track record is compelling: 13 graduates already working as LPNs, with 12 more currently enrolled. Marquis' rigorous selection process - requiring minimum tenure, good standing, essays, and leadership recommendations - ensures high-quality candidates, reducing student attrition risk for Concorde.

The planned shift to a single large annual cohort rather than multiple smaller groups throughout the year demonstrates program maturation and optimization. This cohort-based approach enhances peer support systems and cross-facility relationships, likely improving both academic outcomes and post-graduation retention rates.

This model addresses healthcare workforce challenges through employer-education collaboration rather than traditional recruitment competition, creating value for UTI through stable enrollment revenue while meeting critical regional healthcare needs.

"Peak Pathways Career Development" program at Marquis offers employees forgivable
student loans to attend Concorde's Portland campus

PORTLAND, Ore., June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Concorde Career Colleges and Marquis Companies are pleased to announce the continuation of their successful partnership to address the demand for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Oregon.

Existing Marquis employees (that meet eligibility criteria) can apply for a $12,000 forgivable student loan to attend the nursing program at the Concorde–Portland campus in exchange for a multi-year work commitment once they are licensed as nurses. For each year of service, Marquis forgives $4,000 of the loan.

"We're pleased that Marquis chose Concorde and our nursing program as a place to invest in their employees' education. Our partnership offers a wonderful example of how employers can develop a career pathway for high-potential employees. Making educational attainment more accessible and affordable for these valued employees improves retention, decreases recruiting costs and provides a solution for filling in-demand roles," said Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges.

Marquis Companies first approached Concorde during the height of the pandemic when they faced competition with hospitals for LPN graduates due to the growing nursing shortage. The company was looking for novel ways to upskill their existing employees.

"We needed to find a way to support and develop our own staff who have proven loyalty, competence and capability. We reached out to Concorde with this idea to partner and further develop our internal 'Peak Pathways Career Development' program through a forgivable loan model, and it has truly taken off," said Meagan English, Chief People Officer, Marquis Companies.

While the competition with hospitals for LPNs has tapered off for senior living facilities, demand for skilled practical nurses remains high in the region. Projected job growth in the Portland Tri-County area is 9.8% from 2023-2033, which is much faster than the national average.¹

Marquis employees undergo a rigorous internal application process, including multiple written essays and one to three letters of recommendation from internal leadership.  Employees must also have a minimum of 6 months tenure with Marquis (and those with longer tenure receive priority) and be in good standing. Thirteen Marquis employees have graduated so far, and an additional 12 employees are currently attending the program. Marquis "Peak Pathways" model in partnership with Concorde has created an additional pathway and important resources for Marquis employees, with a highly reputable partner in Concorde.

"Our partnership with Concorde has been an exceptional success as the employees we send to Concorde's nursing program are already high performing and passionately committed to senior health care and Marquis. We have found good return on investment by developing nurses for our sector in this way," added English.

The next phase of the partnership for Marquis is to increase the cohort size of employees who start the program to ensure even greater outcomes. Rather than have multiple small cohorts start throughout the year, English is aiming for one large cohort per year.

"We find that it's better for our employees when they're in the same cohort together because they can support each other, study together and develop long term relationships across our family of communities," said English.

Marquis is aiming for their next cohort of employees to start Concorde's nursing program in July.

For more information on Concorde's nursing programs, visit concorde.edu/nursing-programs.

¹Source: Oregon Employment Department, Portland Tri-County Occupational Projections 2023-2033, viewed June 17, 2025. Direct link to download the Portland Tri-County projections spreadsheet.

About Concorde Career Colleges
Concorde Career Colleges, the healthcare division of Universal Technical Institute (www.uti.edu), (NYSE: UTI), operates 17 campuses across eight states and online under the brands Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute to prepare America's next generation of health care and dental professionals for rewarding careers. The Concorde blended education model combines online coursework with in-person lab classes and clinical settings. Concorde's student-focused academic programs and personalized support prepare graduates for in-demand careers in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic and other healthcare roles. Concorde is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE). For more information, visit concorde.edu and uti.edu; LinkedIn at @Concorde Career Colleges and @UniversalTechnicalInstitute; or X at @ConcordeCareer and @news_UTI.

About Marquis Companies

Founded in 1989, Marquis is a family-owned, fifth-generation leader in senior care, dedicated to promoting vitality and safety. The organization delivers award-winning services through three divisions: Marquis, Consonus, and AgeRight.

Marquis operates 28 facilities across Oregon, California, and Nevada, providing independent living, assisted living, post-acute rehabilitation, and memory care. Consonus offers contract rehabilitation, outpatient wellness, and specialized long-term care pharmacy services to 50,000 seniors in 700 facilities nationwide, including Marquis locations. AgeRight provides personalized home health, home care, hospice, physician-led clinical services, and a Medicare Advantage Health Plan. In addition, AgeRight offers a provider network with population health management resources to help seniors navigate aging decline, enhance quality of life, and manage healthcare costs through compassionate, integrated care.

Media Contact:
Sharon Rolenc
srolenc@uti.edu 
612-720-2083

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SOURCE Concorde Career Colleges

FAQ

What is the Peak Pathways Career Development program at Marquis Companies?

It's a program offering $12,000 forgivable student loans to eligible Marquis employees to attend Concorde's Portland campus nursing program, with $4,000 forgiven for each year of service after graduation.

How many Marquis employees have completed the nursing program at Concorde?

13 Marquis employees have graduated from the program, and an additional 12 employees are currently enrolled.

What are the eligibility requirements for Marquis employees to participate in the program?

Employees must have minimum 6 months tenure, be in good standing, complete multiple written essays, and provide 1-3 letters of recommendation from internal leadership.

What is the projected job growth for LPNs in the Portland Tri-County area?

The projected job growth for LPNs in the Portland Tri-County area is 9.8% from 2023-2033, which is much faster than the national average.

How is Marquis planning to modify the program in the future?

Marquis plans to increase cohort size and move to one large annual cohort instead of multiple small cohorts throughout the year to enhance peer support and collaboration.