Bridging the Gap: A Biopharmaceutical Processing Workforce Development Continuum

This proposal seeks to increase training capacity to address the critical shortage of an appropriately trained entry-level workforce in the biomanufacturing industry. Through this proposal, three distinct academic partners (Montgomery and Bucks County Com
Categories
Talent/ Pipeline development
Project status
100% Completed

Industry Need

  • There is a critical shortage of an appropriately trained entry-level workforce in the biomanufacturing industry.

Solution

Leveraging the state-of-the-art Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing (JIB) and with input from an industry task force, Montgomery Community College, Bucks County Community College, and Thomas Jefferson University joined together to developed an innovative, cost-effective NIIMBL Education Platform (NEP) to provide a way for students to transition into entry-level bioprocessing industry positions while offering transcript-able and transferable academic credits.  


The NEP includes both cross-disciplinary educational curriculum and an experiential component. The NEP curriculum aims to:  

  • Align community college and university curricula 
  • Equip participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills, provided in the JIB’s simulated GMP facility, needed to prepare them for immediate hire into the workforce in the biopharma industry 
  • Offer a clear pathway from community college to industry, with a roadmap identifying additional opportunities for both continuing education and career advancement  


Outputs/Deliverables


  • A gap assessment was completed to gather information on the functional/technical knowledge, skills, and competencies as well as the professional and leadership skills required for entry-level biomanufacturing technician job functions
  •  A cohort of 10 students participated in a five-week intensive training event. Week 1 was delivered online and weeks 2-5 were in person (July 20-August 20)
  • Three courses were created for this project that lead to a credential, Thomas Jefferson University Bioprocessing Badge. The three courses included: Principles of Upstream Biomanufacturing, Principles of Downstream Biomanufacturing, and Basics of Analytical Techniques, Regulatory Guidelines and Quality Control in Biopharmaceuticals
  •  An articulation agreement was created between TJU and MCCC, so that an MCCC student can progress to Jefferson University BS in Biotechnology with a concentration in the Biomanufacturing program


 

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