Providing world-class training for a globally competitive biotechnology workforce.

For Industry

Serious challenges for Biotechnology employers include:

  1. The shortage of experienced technicians; and
  2. Keeping lab personnel up-to-date and motivated through professional development—while not interfering with laboratory workflows.

With workforce training as its primary focus, California’s EWD Biotechnology Initiative addresses these challenges by focusing on those entering the Biotechnology Industry as well as incumbent workers. The Initiative’s workforce training objectives are to:

  • Promote technician careers for those seeking science/technology-based, interesting, dynamic and high-paying jobs;
  • Work with community colleges to refine and support their degree and certificate programs, while ensuring consistency with industry needs;
  • Provide short, targeted, accessible and affordable skills training at convenient times to those already in the Biotech workforce, to keep their skills up-to-date and provide rapid training in new technologies; and
  • Work with K12 teachers to ensure a continued pipeline of students interested in pursuing the full range of Biotechnology careers.

For community college-based programs training students entering Biotech careers, please click here.

For targeted, short skills training designed for incumbent Biotechnology workers, please click here.