QCC’s Biomanufacturing Pilot Program Bridges Employment Gap Through Community Partnerships
WORCESTER — Quinsigamond Community College has partnered with Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI) and AbbVie, to deliver an innovative entry-level Biomanufacturing On-Ramp Workshop designed to encourage more people to enter the biomanufacturing industry pipeline. Enabling more people to join the biomanufacturing workforce is the premise behind QCC’s biomanufacturing pilot program that kicked off in early October.
“At AbbVie Bioresearch Center in Worcester, we annually onboard up to 80 new entry-level employees and are keenly focused on partnering with educational institutions like QCC to build the skills and leadership behaviors we need to foster high-performing teams,” said AbbVie’s Strategic Operations Director, Nicholas Willnow. “Our success in biologics development and manufacture relies on the knowledge and diversity of thought that a program like the Biomanufacturing On-Ramp Workshop enables for individuals in Central Massachusetts.”
Central Massachusetts has one of the highest percentages of growth in biomanufacturing jobs (7.9% growth in 2020), and is home to over 60 biotech companies.
“Quinsigamond Community College has a long track record of preparing and training students for well paying, good careers that set people up with great opportunities in the workforce,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “As Central Massachusetts becomes a hub of innovation, this Biomanufacturing Pilot Program will build upon that success and I look forward to seeing what comes out of this partnership between QCC, AbbVie and MBI.”
“There is a coming wave of opportunity in biomanufacturing in Central Massachusetts. This partnership between QCC, AbbVie, Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD,) and MBI will connect a broader workforce to life-changing opportunities in biotech and directly connect students to jobs,” said MBI President and CEO, Jon Weaver.
Close to a dozen adult, non-native English speakers are currently taking part in QCC’s 10-week biomanufacturing pilot program.
“We want to help build and support adult learners and those individuals who have had the fewest opportunities afforded them,” said Kathy Rentsch, associate vice president for Strategic Academic & Workforce Initiatives, at QCC. “This workshop is a quick on-ramp for these individuals to gain strong entry-level biomanufacturing skills that will make them prime job candidates in this growing industry.”
The entry-level Biomanufacturing On-Ramp Workshop offers a tiered modality of learning beginning with the BOUNCE program, a wrap-around soft skills workforce readiness training program that helps students understand themselves better, to ensure they will be successful and effective employees. Following the BOUNCE training, a bilingual instructor will teach the students biomanufacturing content and industry terminology. During the final weeks of the program, students will receive support around resume creation and will participate in mock interviews to hone their communication skills.
“AbbVie and several other companies have offered to interview these individuals after they complete the workshop and consider them for employment opportunities. We hope that this pilot program will be a steppingstone to a better life for these students and a clear pathway to integrate educated and workforce-ready workers into area biomanufacturing companies,” Dr. Rentsch said. “This type of educational model is a win-win for everyone.”
The current program is funded through MOBD in partnership with MBI. QCC intends to expand the program model through additional funding opportunities.
Shawn Fitzpatrick, head of manufacturing (in Marlborough) for national biopharmaceutical company Resilience, Inc., addressed the need for skilled entry-level workers in today’s biomanufacturing companies.
“The On-Ramp program QCC developed has the potential to fill a crucial need for our industry and the exponential growth of Biomanufacturing in Massachusetts. This growth has created a need for this type of program to feed the workforce pipeline and this training can provide skills needed for entry level roles such as Manufacturing Technicians, Quality Control, and Supply Chain to name a few,” Mr. Fitzpatrick said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the potential that this program has to offer our industry.”
In The News
>WEATHER: Mark Rosenthal's 7-day forecast (:37). High of 58 today in Worcester
>TOP OF THE NEWS
+Noon: It's Friday! Check Dining Out and Bars & Bands before making plans
+Noon: Local ice cream shops open for the season
+Noon: New shows and movies to watch this weekend
+Noon: New movies on demand — "Monkey Man," "Arthur the King" and more
-New restaurant planned at former Zorba's Taverna on Stafford Street
-Passenger numbers continue to soar at Worcester Regional Airport after record 2023 year
-M.B.T.A. announces return of morning Worcester-to-Boston express train
-Isaiah Disla, 16 at time of killing, to be tried as adult in Worcester
-Worcester rentals: Forbes ranks market third-worst in U.S. Here's why
-"Goodbye Doherty!" Doherty Memorial High School Reunion (1:29)
-Clark University expands its scholarship zone by 31 streets in Main South
-Worcester Art Museum updates plans for showcasing Higgins Armory Collection
-City launches Diverse Business Certification grant program
-Crews in Worcester County to look for invasive elm zigzag sawfly
-Former Christmas Tree Shops may become trampoline park
-Turtleboy's relationship to Karen Read case may be left out of trial
-The Faces of Worcester: Lorna R. Ellis, Seamstress and clothing store business owner
-Radio Worcester Roundtable (45:58): City violence and upcoming State of the City address
>DINING OUT: Why Eggholic in Shrewsbury is like no Indian restaurant around
-ICYMI: Worcester Art Museum discrimination lawsuit has been dismissed
-Worcester Housing Authority looking to relocate Lakeside residents
-Worcester pastor commemorates the 109th anniversary of Armenian Genocide
-Worcester Facebook groups support the local community with resources
-See the rest of the day's Worcester news
>HOLDEN (brought to you by Lamoureux Ford): Attorney General gives Holden until December to comply with M.B.T.A. law
-Spring composting 8 to 2:30 Saturday
-Lamoureux Ford salutes the UConn Huskies (:54)
-Wachusett names new principal
>THE BURBS (brought to you by North End Motor Sales): Clinton cannabis delivery firm expands services
-Gov. Healey discusses Mass. Leads Act at Westborough clean energy company
-Drug Take Back Day Saturday in Leicester
-"H" intersection in Boylston to allow limited traffic
-Anthony Cipro leaving Houghton School
-33rd Grafton Gazebo Road Race is May 11th
-Annual Sutton town-wide yard sale June 15th
-Wachusett area public safety logs
>BARS & BANDS: The Mayor's Live Music List for Friday
-Midnight Motion rocks Redemption Rock taproom on Saturday
>SHOWTIME: Things to Do: The Porch Party Mamas, Pride launch, "Nine" and more
-Worcester County Wonders: Time is on their side at the Willard House & Clock Museum
-The Ghost Inside returns to Palladium on the heels of new album
-W.C.P.A. to launch poetry series in memory of Richard Fox
-Poet Rodger Martin to receive Stanley Kunitz Medal
-Shaun Connolly: Low T Troubles
-Manny Jae Media (28:06): Manny and City Manager Eric Batista
-WCCA-TV's Human Touch No. 83 (28:18): Immigration & Higher Education
-Unity Radio (58:25): TheWoo508
>SPORTS: Patriots take quarterback Drake Maye with No. 3 pick
-Will Drake Maye start right away? Patriots coach responds (1:28)
-Experts analyze Patriots’ Drake Maye pick
-Red Sox lose to Cleveland, 6-4
-Holy Cross 'Sader Stories: William Kelleher
-WooSox beat Toledo, 7-5
>CARS: Bertera has the all-star team to help you find your next Nissan car or truck (:39)
-Ford just reported a massive loss on every electric vehicle it sold
>NATIONAL: Baltimore accuses ship's manager of negligence in bridge collapse
-10-year-old boy confesses to fatally shooting sleeping man, authorities say
-Tragic: Mom's haunting last words before she died from mushroom sushi roll
>NEW ENGLAND: Questions remain ahead of opening statements in Karen Read murder trial (2:32)
-Man dead after shooting at police, barricading inside home in North Andover
>COLLEGES: Anna Maria AMCAST (28:35): Revive, a recovery community outreach program
-Clark students awarded $10,000 to document, "uplift voices" of those impacted by climate change
-WPI receives slice of $2.8 million women’s health grants for bipolar treatment development
>TRAVEL (brought to you by Fuller RV & Rental): 8 easy hikes with incredible views in the U.S.
>BUSINESS: Husband and wife to develop A.I. math tutor with WPI, $4 million in funding
-LPL Research: The ever-changing market narrative
-Electric Hydrogen's "gigafactory" ribbon cutting ceremony in Devens
>SHOPPING: When is Wayfair's 2024 Way Day sale? Shop early deals now
>HOMES: Prices up, sales down in early spring house market in Mass.
>HEALTH: C.D.C. launches tool to monitor heat risk (1:04)
-Seeing a female physician could lead to a longer life, new study shows
>FOOD: Which foods have the most plastics? The answer may surprise you
>TV/STREAMING: Trailer for new Glen Powell film for Netflix, "Hit Man" (2:34)
>MOVIES: Theaters are getting creative to woo audiences back to the movies
>CELEBRITY: Kevin Bacon returns to "Footloose" high school to mark film's 40th anniversary
>ANIMALS: Tiny Chihuahua scares giant great Dane (3:01)
>HISTORY: Old Union Depot in Worcester
>GOOD NEWS (brought to you by Bertera Nissan): Salem fitness trainer helps children with disabilities build strength, confidence
-Meanwhile, in Australia, watch fare-dodging horse wait on platform at train station
Latest obituaries | | Thursday's highlights | | Today's horoscope | | Local Sports
Classifieds
+Multiple positions with Holden D.P.W.
-Kitchen help at deadhorse hill
-Food runner at White Eagle
-Bussers, Food Runners & Hostesses at Holden diner
See all Help Wanteds | | Job opening? Post it here for FREE today
Quick Links: Personalize your news | | Browse members | | Advertise | | Blogs | | Invite friends | | Videos
Animals | | Boston Sports | | Business | | Cars | | Celebrity | | Colleges | | Commute & Travel | | Crime | | Faith | | Food | | Good News | | Health | | History | | Homes | | Local Sports | | Lottery | | Movies | | National | | New England | | Politics | | Shopping & Deals | | SHOWTIME! | | TV & Streaming | | Weather