Scalable Comprehensive Workforce Readiness Initiatives

BioMADE is launching a new effort to build a comprehensive community-to-career pathway for bioindustrial manufacturing jobs in Solano County, California. This work will serve as a model that can be scaled and implemented elsewhere around the country.  

Through this project, BioMADE will partner with academic institutions and economic development agencies to:  

  • Develop industry-driven, data-informed tools and resources for job training and direct placements in the commercial bioindustrial manufacturing sector  

  • Assess and deploy best practices for recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive biomanufacturing workforce  

  • Develop workforce readiness resources in areas with high feedstock and biomass  

  • Create a scalable model for public-private workforce training that can be adapted to other regions 

  • Establish a Subject Matter Expert Advisory Subcommittee under the BioMADE EWD Committee to provide relevant, accessible workforce skills training; career pathway awareness and exposure through community outreach, education, workforce program recruitment; technical skills training; and creation of training materials for under-resourced communities  

This work will focus on the I-80 Corridor in northern California, a region that has potential for rapid growth in the bioindustrial manufacturing sector, as the exemplar to develop programs that can be transferable nationwide. This region provides fertile ground to develop this workforce training program that can subsequently be scaled around the country.  

Professional Development Workshops

BioMADE is now offering a three-day professional development workshop to support instructors at two-year institutions in implementing pilot bioindustrial manufacturing modules into their courses. These workshops are part of BioMADE’s work to build a comprehensive community-to-career pathway for bioindustrial manufacturing jobs in Solano County, California. 

These workshops are relevant for instructors and faculty teaching in biomanufacturing and biotechnology programs at two-year institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area. Instructors and faculty at Minority-Serving Institutions and two-year colleges in geographically underserved and under-resourced areas are encouraged to apply.   

Workshops are open to current biotechnology and biomanufacturing community college instructors. Prospective participants may complete the application here by Friday May 17, 2024. Participants will be notified in June 2024. Please reach out to Louise Petruzzella at lpetruzzella@biomade.org with any questions.  

  • Dates: July 8 – 10, 2024 

    • July 8: 9am – 4pm 

    • July 9: 9am – 4pm 

    • July 10: 9am – 3pm 

    Location: University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 

    Cost: There is no registration cost. Attendees will receive a stipend of $1,000 to support their participation and offset any travel expenses. 

    Click here to view the full schedule.

  • A committee of industry and commercial partners and educators have identified module topics and objectives relevant for technician-level roles in the bioindustrial manufacturing sector. Representatives from industry will be available to answer questions and discuss career opportunities. The workshops will cover: 

    • Foundational biological, chemical, and engineering principles 

    • Scale-up and management of biomass fermentation  

    • Separation and purification of bioindustrial products using key industry methods 

    • Operating, cleaning, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment and instruments 

    • Collecting, preparing, and analyzing samples using methods and procedures specific to bioindustrial manufacturing 

  • The 2024 workshop will be a pilot test of the modules. Workshop participants will provide feedback about the modules and will receive all final modules and related materials to incorporate into existing courses.  

    • After attending this workshop, participants will be able to: 

    • Implement modules in their classrooms   

    • Connect the modules to local industry applications for their students  

    • Resolve challenges and problematic results related to each module 

Mentorship Program

BioMADE’s 12-week mentorship program will introduce students to the field of bioindustrial manufacturing, help prepare them for potential careers, give them opportunities to learn from those in the field, and more. Participating as a mentor or a mentee will be a rewarding way to inspire and attract diverse talent into the growing bioindustrial manufacturing.

  • Join BioMADE’s mentorship program to meet and learn from professionals in the field. Through the program, you will:

    • Learn about careers in bioindustrial manufacturing

    • Expand your professional network

    • Improve your resume-writing and interview skills

    • Receive guidance from a professional in the field

    • Achieve personal growth and learn more about yourself and your future career goals

    The mentorship program welcomes learners from Northern California with diverse levels of science knowledge, including undergraduates with limited science backgrounds, as well as recent graduates and those holding associate/bachelor’s degrees in both science and non-science disciplines.

    Requirements

    • Interest is learning about bioindustrial manufacturing careers

    • Full- or part-time student in a community college or university or a recent graduate

    • Commitment to engage and actively participate in the program’s professional development activities

    Time commitment

    • Minimum of 6 hours of online/in-person one-on-one meetings with your mentor over the 12-week duration of the program, Sept. 4- Nov. 26, 2024

    • Attendance and active participation in the 1-2 hour professional development activities, scheduled on six Wednesdays at 3-5 pm PT:

      • Orientation meeting: Sept. 4

      • Introductions to biomanufacturing: Sept. 11

      • LinkedIn workshop: Sept. 25

      • Networking with the professionals: Oct. 16

      • Resume review and mock interviews: Nov. 13

      • Completion meeting: Nov. 20

    Learn more

    Attend one of our upcoming webinars to learn more:

    Apply

    Click here to apply. The application deadline is August 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm PT.

  • Help mentor students, build awareness about bioindustrial manufacturing, and make a positive impact!

    We are seeking mentors and/or volunteers in northern California for in-person and online career development activities for three cohorts of students in the 2024/2025 academic year. Mentors from BioMADE member organizations are welcome.

    Ways to Participate

    • Mentoring:

      • One-hour orientation meeting (online)

      • Minimum of 6 hours of meetings with your student mentee (online/in-person) over the 12-week duration of the program

      • Occasional email communications with the program coordinator

      • Completing 1-2 evaluation surveys

    • Networking Event:

      • Date: Oct. 16, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm PT (online)

      • Volunteers meet with small groups of students (1-3) in Zoom breakout rooms for 15-20 minutes, before moving to another room meeting a new group of students

      • No preparation is required

    • Resume Review and Mock Interviews

      • Date: Nov. 13, 2024, 3:00 – 5:00 pm PT (online)

      • Volunteers review student resumes ahead of time and meet with the students for a mock interview and provide feedback. Each volunteer will meet with 1-3 students

    • Guest Speaker: Date: TBD (online)

      • Speak about your area of expertise in bioindustrial manufacturing science or careers

      • 30-60 minute talk on a topic of your choice (examples topics are: What is bioindustrial manufacturing, careers and skills needed, how to prepare a resume, how to create a professional LinkedIn profile)

    • Mini Career Fair:

      • Date: TBD

      • Represent your organization to attract talent

    • Field Trips:

      • Date: TBD

      • Provide an opportunity for a group of 8-16 students to visit your biomanufacturing facility or research lab, either in-person or on a virtual tour

    Requirements

    • Experience in bioindustrial manufacturing industry and/or research

    • Industry professionals in various roles and levels, researchers, experienced graduate students and educators

    • Commitment to engage and foster an environment of diversity and inclusion

    • Mentors from BioMADE member organizations are welcome

    Why participate?

    • Build leadership skills

    • Opportunity to guide and inspire the students of varying backgrounds and the future workforce in bioindustrial manufacturing

    • Meet and recruit potential talent for your organization

    • Fulfill membership in-kind contribution requirements (for BioMADE members only)

    Learn more

    Register here for our upcoming webinar on May 22 to learn more.

    Apply

    Click here to apply to be a volunteer mentor. The application deadline is August 12, 2024 at 5:00 pm PT.

  • There will be three programs during the 2024-25 academic year:

    • Fall 2024: Sept. 4 - Nov. 26 | Applications due August 12, 2024

    • Winter 2025: Jan. 15 - Apr. 8

    • Spring 2025: Apr. 3 - June 25

    For more information about the mentor-mentee program, please reach out to Golnar Afshar, Mentoring Specialist, at gafshar@biomade.org.