Workforce education has long been a mission of community and technical colleges. As new industries evolve, community colleges step forward to respond to workforce development needs. The biotechnology industry, however, has grown out of a scientific research base and has relied on high-level, Ph.D. scientists. With the maturing of the industry and the movement into commercialization and production, the demand for technical workers has increased. This maturation has been accompanied by the emergence of biotechnology programs at community and technical colleges that have developed in partnership with the biotechnology industry and are responsive to the workforce requirements of the industry. The quality of these specialized programs and courses that respond directly to industry are often overlooked. In fact, they are well kept secrets that only recently are entering the spotlight and being recognized as stars. It is exciting to be a part of a movement that provides opportunities for people to gain employability skills in an emerging and dynamic industry and for those already employed to have access to affordable and current training for upgrading. Bio-Link is positioned to act as a cohesive coordinating and national leadership center that assists in the development and growth of community and technical college biotechnology programs.
This article provides a perspective of the growing workforce potential for biotechnology competency-based learning experiences at community and technical colleges across the nation, addresses benefits of such programs for local economic development, and speaks to the role that Bio-Link plays in creating a national focal point for the support of excellence and sharing best practices. BACKGROUND Bio-Link is an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) 1 Center of Excellence for Biotechnology funded by the National Science Foundation. It exists for the purpose of "Educating the Biotechnology Workforce."
The mission of Bio-Link is to:
โข Increase the number and diversity of well-trained technicians in the workforce.