Strengthening the Life Science Talent Pipeline: Life Science Career Fellowship Personalized Cohort
Members: Biocom California Institute, Ohlone College, Skyline College
Project dates: 2026 – present
This project will expand a proven workforce development model in order to create reliable career pathways for students in bioindustrial manufacturing across California. By working with multiple community colleges in Los Angeles and the Bay Area, this project will provide comprehensive career preparation through personalized industry mentorship, professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and company tours. The program will recruit 40 participants with an emphasis on reaching traditionally underrepresented populations who typically lack access to biomanufacturing career pathways.
The Life Science Career/Bioindustrial Manufacturing Fellowship offers professional competency-building, creating workforce-ready candidates equipped to meet industry demands. Building on demonstrated success—including a 90% program completion rate and significant increases in industry connections among participants—this expansion will evaluate the model's effectiveness across various geographic regions and student populations.
This research will be used to create replicable frameworks for talent development, data-driven strategies for addressing skill gaps in biomanufacturing, and strengthened connections between educational institutions and industry partners. These outcomes will benefit the BioMADE network by providing a tested blueprint for workforce development initiatives that simultaneously address industry challenges and advance economic opportunities.
By focusing on community college students who represent varied educational backgrounds, professional experiences, and cultural perspectives, the project addresses both immediate workforce needs and long-term viability in the bioindustrial manufacturing sector, ultimately strengthening America's biomanufacturing competitiveness.
Funding source: U.S. Department of Defense