Nearly a dozen biotech firms are partnering up with community colleges in southeast Pennsylvania to offer two industry-validated certificate programs beginning in the spring 2009 semester.
The Life Science Career Alliance developed the programs–one in cell/tissue growth, the other in fermentation–to meet a growing demand for skilled workers in the biotech industry, according to James Logan, senior program manager for the LSCA. The first of their kind in the region, the certificate programs represent a unique collaboration between the biotech industry and area colleges.
“I’ve never worked on a project like this before, where industry and educators come together like this” Logan says. “My hat goes off to industry leaders for sitting down and devoting the time to make this happen.”
Beginning in January 2009, Burlington Community College, Montgomery Community College and Bucks County Community College will offer the programs, which will serve both students already enrolled in biotech and life science classes at those schools, as well as employees of regional biotech firms that want more training.
“There’s a lack of these type of employees, and there are also companies looking to ramp up in terms of the talent that they have,” Logan says.
The certificate programs, which for current college students will consist of 15 weeks of coursework and a three-month internship, have been funded through a $1.5 million Department of Labor grant, which the LSCA is administering. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning is helping to develop and evaluate the curriculum along with college faculty and members of the biotech industry.
The training program will expand to include the Community College of Philadelphia and Camden County College in the fall 2009 semester, and Logan said the LSCA would approach four-year institutions once the template for the program has been proven successful.
Source: James Logan, Senior Program Manager for Life Science Career Alliance,
Writer: John Davidson
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