Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

The San Diego Story

Council of Biotechnology Centers Program, April 9, 2006

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

The San Diego Story

Participants

• Sandra Slivka, Ph.D., Director, Southern California Biotechnology Center at Miramar College

• Annie Glidden, Manager of Education Outreach, Biogen Idec

• Ashley Wildrick, Special Assistant to the President and CEO/Project Coordinator, San Diego Workforce Partnership

• Al Kern, Ph. D., Director of Biotechnology Programs, Cal State University, San Marcos

• Mark Cafferty, Director of Workforce Development, BIOCOM

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Industry History and Characteristics

Al Kern, Ph.D., Cal State San Marcos

• Foundation for a beginning (1955 – 1975)

• First biotechnology company (Hybritech) … and today

• Academic/Business partnerships and entrepreneurship

• Key support organizations and people

• Cooperative spirit and close industry/personal alliances

Source: BioSpace

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Industry History and Characteristics

Al Kern, Ph.D., Cal State San Marcos

• >500 Biotech/BioMed/BioPharma organizations

• Employs >36,000 directly; >55,000 direct and connected

• Growth 12.3% last year; 17.5% expected over decade

• 90% with <100 employees; Average size <50

• Research boutiques to commercial companies

• VC and funding – good

• Strong academic research/support with ½ of $ to life sciences

• Industry says “need well-prepared, lab-ready and business-savvy graduates”

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

BIOCOM History

Mark Cafferty, BIOCOM

• Founded in 1995

• Mission; To position the Greater San Diego life sciences community to achieve individual and collective success on the world stage of scientific and technological innovation, and in the development of products that improve global health and quality of life.

• Workforce Committee

• Education Committee

• President’s High Growth Jobs Training Grant

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Workforce Needs

Mark Cafferty, BIOCOM

• Lack of relevant labor market information for curriculum development and regional economic planning

• Need for improved coordination within the higher education community regarding the creation and delivery of biotechnology and science education

• Lack of knowledge on behalf of the business community and broader workforce regarding the science education and training opportunities available in San Diego

• A significant lack of interest and achievement in science education within San Diego’s k-12 student population

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Labor Market Information

Ashley Wildrick, San Diego Workforce Partnership

• Hiring and training trends are constantly changing within the biotechnology industry

•Need for relevant, up-to-date local and national labor market research and information.

•Labor market information and data is critical to improving local and national education and training programs

•Need to educate the public on the varying aspects of the industry and its diverse career options.

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Labor Market Information

Ashley Wildrick, San Diego Workforce Partnership

• Biotech LMI Center – central clearinghouse relying heavily on data collected by partner organizations & institution

• National Advisory Committee – (decision-making body) to assist in the planning of the research and dissemination strategies, as well as oversee the progress and accuracy of the data presented

• Features Include:

•Primary - Biotechnology occupations, biotechnology LMI statistics, LMI research library, education & training directory

•Secondary - Special courses calendar, state & local sites, ListServes, and quick surveys

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Biotechnology Education Consortium

Sandra Slivka, Ph.D., Southern California Biotech Center

The SCBC promotes, organizes, develops and participates in premier outreach programs to students to expand their knowledge about science careers. (developed by regional faculty May 2006)

SCBC Highlights• New technology workshops• Transfer of supplies equipment• Regional Advisory Board• Participation in High School Outreach (High Tech Fair; EYH)• AMGEN Outreach Program• Career Counselor Event

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Biotechnology Education Consortium

Sandra Slivka, Ph.D., Southern California Biotech Center

• San Diego Biotechnology Education Consortium

•Coalition of educators from 2 and 4 year schools

•Provide avenue for information sharing and collaboration

•Developed website for one-stop shopping www.sdbiotechcareers.org

• The San Diego Biotechnology Education Consortium serves the San Diego biotechnology industry by supporting increased collaboration and articulation among member educational programs, assessing and addressing industry needs, and facilitating placement of interns within the industry.

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Industry/Education Partnerships

Al Kern, Ph.D., Cal State San Marcos

• 360° Community Participation

• Summits & Inquiry

• Advisories

• Lecturers, Mentors, Visits, etc.

• Coop Program Examples (CSUSM)

                                                         

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Industry/Education Partnerships

Al Kern, Ph.D., Cal State San Marcos

Programs developed:

• Manufacturing Degrees & Certificate Programs

• Regulatory Affairs

• Quality Systems Management

• Bioinformatics

• Science/Business & Executive Programs

• Custom Instruction/Training for Companies

• Science Basics for the Non-Scientist

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Investing in Science Education

Annie Glidden, Biogen Idec

• Biogen Idec Foundation

Improving the quality of people’s lives and contributing to the vitality of the communities where we operate with a special emphasis on innovative ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to consider science careers.

• Established in 2004

• Initial endowment $24M

• $3.5M in distributions (2004-2005)

• $1.4M in science education grants

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Investing in Science Education

Annie Glidden, Biogen Idec

• Biogen Idec Community Lab

Located within the company’s research buildings in San Diego, CA and Cambridge, MA, Community Lab is designed to help transform today’s young students into the discoverers of tomorrow.

• Open to local teachers and students

• Exciting student interest in science

• Created through collaboration

• Partnering with Life Science Summer Institute

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Life Sciences Summer Institute

Ashley Wildrick, Annie Glidden and Sandra Slivka, Ph.D.

• Taskforce – Industry & academic leaders, grant partners and key personnel

• Industry Barriers & Input

•Large companies vs. small companies

•Outreach timing

•Age requirements

•Length of internships

•Teacher externships

•Payroll and insurance

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Life Sciences Summer Institute

Ashley Wildrick, Annie Glidden and Sandra Slivka, Ph.D.

Student Internship Program

•1- Week Biotech Boot Camp Training

•Industry introduction, drug & device development process

•Review of metrics, significant figures, proper documentation and data analysis

•Introduction to regulatory issues (SOP, GLP, GMP, FDA)

•Basic hands-on laboratory skills & knowledge

•LSSI industry soft skills certification - effective communication, organization, teamwork, presentations & industry expectations

•8- Week Industry Internship

•Poster Development & Display

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

Life Sciences Summer Institute

Ashley Wildrick, Annie Glidden and Sandra Slivka, Ph.D.

•Teacher Externship Program

•1- Week Biotech Boot Camp

•Industry introduction, drug & device development process

•Introduction to regulatory issues (SOP, GLP, GMP, FDA)

•Amgen – Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Curriculum (DNA – Protein)

•Identification of teaching standards to address

•2- Week Industry Exposure Experiences

•1- Week Curriculum Connection & Implementation

Building a Biotechnology Workforce Partnership

The San Diego Story

Final Thought

“There is a single light of science, and to brighten anywhere is to brighten it everywhere.”

Isaac Asimov

Contact Information

Ashley Wildrick: ashley@workforce.org

Annie Glidden: annie.glidden@biogenidec.com

Sandra Slivka: sslivka@sdccd.edu

Al Kern: alkern@csusm.edu

Mark Cafferty: mcafferty@biocom.org

* Roya Lahijani: rlahijani@biocom.org