2008 Woodie Awards
College awarded funding for biotech education
Industry-driven curriculum to create regional workforce
Lou Sian
Date created: 10/25/04 Section: NEWS
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Trading in their dot com passwords or their uniforms as airline employees, security screeners and mechanics, the new bio-manufacturing employees work predominantly in the production operation groups at Genentech. They work as bio-processing technicians, package inspectors, lab services technicians or media preparers.
The company is expanding, Leung said. It expects to hire 500 people for its Vacaville location and for the South San Francisco site, they would like to build a pipeline through which interns can convert to full-time employment.
"It's great," Leung said. "One of the early graduates from the first cohort stopped by the office with his baby. We'll see former students in the employee cafeteria. They're appreciative. They say they're happy to work here."
Although Leung won't say, Watson said bio-manufacturing employees can expect to make $35,000 to $40,000 a year and more with over-time. The fourth cohort will complete the 12-week certificate program on Nov. 19. Although not yet finalized, it's anticipated another cohort will start on Feb. 23, 2005.
But Watson is decidedly firm to point out that past successes established Skyline's track record on which to expand existing partnerships and create new alliances.
The Chancellor's Award supports regional economic development through an initiative called Industry Driven Regional Collaboratives. The college will partner with Bay Area bio-manufacturing firms and Bay Area BioSciences Center, a 175-member industry association. And plans are underway to build a regional career ladder in bio-manufacturing in collaboration with Northern California Biotechnology Center.
In addition, the faculty will receive timely training in order to better prepare students in a field that is rapidly evolving.
"Students who successfully complete the training will find work in an industry that is saving lives," Watson said. "The companies are manufacturing life-saving medicines that improve the lives of people around the world."
For further information, contact the Center for Workforce Development at (650) 738-7035 or visit the Web site at: http://www.skylinecollege.edu/workforce
The company is expanding, Leung said. It expects to hire 500 people for its Vacaville location and for the South San Francisco site, they would like to build a pipeline through which interns can convert to full-time employment.
"It's great," Leung said. "One of the early graduates from the first cohort stopped by the office with his baby. We'll see former students in the employee cafeteria. They're appreciative. They say they're happy to work here."
Although Leung won't say, Watson said bio-manufacturing employees can expect to make $35,000 to $40,000 a year and more with over-time. The fourth cohort will complete the 12-week certificate program on Nov. 19. Although not yet finalized, it's anticipated another cohort will start on Feb. 23, 2005.
But Watson is decidedly firm to point out that past successes established Skyline's track record on which to expand existing partnerships and create new alliances.
The Chancellor's Award supports regional economic development through an initiative called Industry Driven Regional Collaboratives. The college will partner with Bay Area bio-manufacturing firms and Bay Area BioSciences Center, a 175-member industry association. And plans are underway to build a regional career ladder in bio-manufacturing in collaboration with Northern California Biotechnology Center.
In addition, the faculty will receive timely training in order to better prepare students in a field that is rapidly evolving.
"Students who successfully complete the training will find work in an industry that is saving lives," Watson said. "The companies are manufacturing life-saving medicines that improve the lives of people around the world."
For further information, contact the Center for Workforce Development at (650) 738-7035 or visit the Web site at: http://www.skylinecollege.edu/workforce
