November 20, 2014 (Cambridge, MA) —The Massachusetts Life Sciences Education Consortium (MLSEC) has officially endorsed 17 biotechnology degree or certificate programs at 10 community colleges and other educational institutions. The MLSEC is an initiative convened by MassBio and the MassBioEd Foundation to facilitate partnerships between the life sciences industry and higher education in order to more effectively match graduating students with the jobs companies are seeking to fill.
The MLSEC will celebrate the successes of these programs at an endorsement event at Shire in Lexington on December 2nd, 2014 at 3pm. Guest speakers include David Cedrone, the Associate Commissioner for Economic and Workforce Development and STEM and Executive Director of the STEM Advisory Council at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and Matt Sigelman, Chief Executive Officer of Burning Glass Technologies.
Stakeholders in the life sciences industry and academia are invited to join the event to recognize these programs’ accomplishments and explore how the institutions and industry can continue to work together to cultivate and support the next generation of the life sciences workforce. Registration is available here: http://bit.ly/MLSECEvent.
“These endorsements ensure that community college biotechnology students and biotechnology certificate earners are provided with the information and experience they need to be successful candidates for careers in the life sciences industry,” said Lance Hartford, Executive Director of the MassBioEd Foundation. “Designing educational programs off of the competencies that life sciences companies require from employees ensures that students receive skills relevant and applicable to the research and manufacturing jobs available.”
“The Massachusetts life sciences industry depends on highly trained workers at every stage of the drug development and manufacturing process,” said Robert K. Coughlin, President & CEO of MassBio. “By producing graduates ready to join industry, these endorsed programs are helping fill the pipeline of industry workers to ensure that our life sciences supercluster can continue to grow and get therapies to patients around the world.”
Each educational program was evaluated based on program overview and scope of services, demonstration of laboratory practices, lab techniques and competencies. Also evaluated were workforce pathway development including its utilization of an advisory board, career services offered, and opportunities for work simulations and internships. Programs that met the minimum requirements were then rated Platinum, Gold, or Silver, based on an assessment across these areas.
The following programs are now endorsed by the life sciences industry. These programs produce graduates and certificate earners who are ready to join the industry:
School Program Award
Berkshire Community College
Associate Degree
Silver
Bunker Hill Community College
Associate Degree
Gold
Middlesex Community College Associate
Degree, Certificate Program
Platinum, Platinum
Mt. Wachusett Community College
Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Gold, Gold
North Shore Community College
Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Silver, Silver
Northern Essex Community College
Associate Degree
Platinum
Quincy College
Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Platinum, Silver
Quinsigamond Community College
Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Gold, Platinum
Roxbury Community College
Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Platinum, Platinum
Springfield Technical Community College Associate Degree, Certificate Program
Silver, Silver
About MassBio
www.massbio.org
MassBio, a not-for-profit organization that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts biotechnology industry, is the nation’s oldest biotechnology trade association. Founded in 1985, MassBio is committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Representing more than 650 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and healthcare, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.
About the MassBioEd Foundation
http://www.massbioed.org
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd), founded in 2001, is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to supporting science and biotechnology education in Massachusetts through school programs, workforce training, and lifelong learning. Serving as a link between education, industry, and government, MassBioEd is working to ensure Massachusetts’ biotechnology sector, has an appropriately trained work force to meet the growing employment needs. MassBioEd’s BioTeach program provides professional development to more than 750 teachers in their biotechnology curricula and provides grants and lab equipment to 201 schools across the Commonwealth. MassBioEd’s Biotech Learning Center offers professional development courses for employees in the biotech sector to advance their professional skills.
Contact:
Jessica Roche
617-674-5146 (direct line)
617-758-9633 (mobile)
jessica.roche@massbio.org
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.
