Building a World Class Workforce

Linnea Fletcher Ph.D.Co PI Bio-Link, Biotechnology

ATE Center of Excellence

Talking Points

• Historical Review of the Bio-Link Center Grant in Biotechnology

• Focus on Curricula Sharing Via the Bio-Link Network with Industry Support

• The Network in Texas• Changes at Austin Community College

Biotechnology and Opportunities for Curricula Sharing

Bio-Link

• Since the first NSF award, Bio-Link has been funded 12.5 M.

• Started as a Center of Excellence• Morphed into a National Resource Center• Last year, refunded as the “Next Generation

ATE Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences”

Bio-Link Mission

• Increase the number and diversity of well-trained technicians in the workforce

• Meet the growing needs of industry for appropriately trained technicians

• Institutionalize educational practices that make high quality education and training in the concepts, tools, skills, processes, regulatory structure, and ethics of biotechnology available to all students

Bio-Link, As Originally Funded, Divided Into Regions

Next Generation Bio-Link

Goals

The new National Center of Excellence is:

)Strengthening and expanding biotechnology education programs across the nation

)Enabling biotechnology faculty, students, and technicians to work more efficiently

)Supporting a smooth transition of students to the technical workforce in the biosciences and related industries

Bio-LinkSign Up for theListserve, and Facebook (also to receive Tweets!)

The Clearinghouse

Through Bio-Link….

• National and Regional approach• Strong partners• Variety of connections• Industry Supported• Interdisciplinary• Social Networking Tools for

students, employees, and partners

Processes for Accomplishing Goals

• Expand regional approach• Pursue active partners• Utilize new communication tools• Courses in a box

– Biotechnology Basics (based on Lisa Seidman’s book)

– Lifetime Career Mapping

• Faculty internships• Online courses• Technician’s Association• Web-based interactive community

Don’t Forget this is a Partnership with Industry

• Developed curricula and courses approved by industry– Advisory Boards– Industry Teaches in the Programs– Industry Projects are Done in Programs– Student Internships and Faculty Externships– Incubators at Community Colleges– Specific Example: Targacept HR developed career

ladder for technicians-partner with community college to do the training for the ladder

Texas Biotechnology Network

Amarillo CollegeAustin CCCollin County CCDel Mar CollegeEl Centro CollegeHouston CCLone Star CollegeSt Phillips College Temple College

Austin Community College Biotechnology Program

www.austincc.edu/biotech/

Our Program Has ExpandedEastview campus

Round Rock campus2-3 times larger

• Offer both a 1 year post baccalaureate and a 2 year AAS

• The high school program has expanded, over 1000 students

• Statewide high school teacher training in biotechnology through a TEA grant

• Subaward on a TUES grant to put STEM cell technology in area high schools

• Part of the National Bridge to Biotechnology Program

• Internship Program expanding, includes company projects in the school laboratory

Contacts • Steve Spurlock • sspulock@austincc.edu• 512-223-5915• Linnea Fletcher Ph.D. • linneaf@austincc.edu• Patricia Phelps Ph.D.• accpphelps@austincc.edu• Shelley O Grady• sogrady@austincc.edu