HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - As the healthcare industry faces a critical shortage of workers, a situation heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems are hoping to make some recruitments. 22News explains why there's been a growing demand for healthcare workers. National Pancake Day: Where to get the best flapjacks in western Massachusetts The demand for healthcare continues to outpace the amount of healthcare workers across the state. This is due to factors like population growth, advancements in technology, and growing emphasis on Preventive Care. "It's a very rewarding career to have," said Timothy Goosby of Springfield. There is a growing need for jobs in healthcare which are growing faster than most other industries. The Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems are one of many looking to fill vacancies. Everything from behavioral health to critical care is in short supply. "I think after Covid there really was a shift in how people work and where people work," said Executive Director of Marketing & Community Relations for Holyoke Medical Center, Rebecca MacGregor. "And other students are not going into health care, you know they are exploring different careers, so we're trying to bring them back, bring the interest back," added Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for Holyoke Medical Center, Beverly Fein. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Education and Health Services gained 1,400 jobs last month here in the state. Over the last year, more than 21,000 were added. Some of the available positions at the Center are medical assistants, patient safety associates, and CNAs. Their emergency department especially needs nurses. "The emergency department is our safety net in the hospital or community so we're just trying to be there and make sure we have resources for everybody that needs our services," said Director of Nursing for the Holyoke Medical Center emergency department, Lynn Garreffi. But measures are being taken to mitigate this issue temporarily until positions are filled. Right now we are utilizing our staff, the core staff is picking up additional shifts, and we have a couple of travel nurses to bridge that," added Garreffi. If you're interested in working for Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, you can apply here. Local News Headlines UMass Amherst-led team debunks Facebook’s role in election misinformation control Mega Challah Bake in Longmeadow brings women together Local health centers in critical need of recruiting more healthcare workers DA inspires future lawyers in Hampden County program WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.