Education and Workforce Development
The bioindustrial manufacturing sector is poised for significant growth in the coming decade and will need a trained and prepared workforce. BioMADE is building the workforce of the future by pairing industry-driven competencies with program development through K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and professional development organizations.
In partnership with our member network, BioMADE will create and provide world-leading innovation in education and workforce development programming for bioindustrial manufacturing. By providing coordination for successful programs already in place, catalyzing improvement of those with great promise, and creating new opportunities where gaps exist, BioMADE is redefining how to develop the advanced manufacturing workforce of the future.
BioMADE’s Education and Workforce Development Focus Areas
K-12 Education
Exposing students to biotechnology tools and their real-world applications.
Community Colleges and Universities
Bridging the gap between postsecondary education and industry needs.
Professional Development
Keep the expanding workforce on the cutting-edge of skills and knowledge.
Project Resources
DIY Bioreactor
Find instructions and training modules for a Do-It-Yourself bioreactor made with off-the-shelf parts.Course: Biomanufacturing Principles, Processes, and Responsible Innovation
Members receive a 40% discount code on the registration fee for this self-paced online course that’s ideal for working professionals or students.Open-Source Biosafety Software and Course
Access trainings, case studies, data sets, and other materials related to biosafety and biosecurity.Course Materials: Nanobiotechnology
Introduce students to DNA sequencing, the power of microbes, regenerative farming, and how it all connects to bioindustrial manufacturing with these resources.eBook: Bioindustrial Manufacturing, Made in the USA
Check out this eBook for features on the bioindustrial manufacturing industry, career pathways and resources, and more.
Building Awareness of Bioindustrial Manufacturing Careers
Shaping the future starts with inspiration. To fully realize the potential of bioindustrial manufacturing, we need to bring diverse, talented, and innovative voices into the field. This means engaging communities to build awareness of the career opportunities our field has to offer. At the moment, you'd be hard-pressed to walk into a high school in the U.S. and find a student dreaming to become a metabolic engineer, but BioMADE envisions a future where students are exposed to the tools of biotechnology and their application to the real world through bioindustrial manufacturing. Our field has limitless potential to excite curious minds, and BioMADE aims to bring about the programs that can turn that potential into reality. BioMADE also believes learning is a lifelong process and that it's never too late to be inspired, so we will also work with adults looking to pursue new paths.
Photo (c) Solano Community College
Preparing the Future Workforce with Innovative Education
As our technologies evolve, so too must our approach to education. Despite long-standing efforts, there remains a consistent gap between the educational experiences of new employees and the skills and competencies they need to be successful in an industrial setting. By building bridges across our industry and education membership bases, BioMADE will help close this gap and find new ways to align the educational opportunities for students to the real-world skills they need to be successful. This means emphasizing training where disciplines converge, incorporating learning beyond technical skills (such as ethics and entrepreneurship) and creating supported pathways for transitioning between education and employment. By building alignment with industry into the fabric of the educational experience, BioMADE will help reduce the resource investment into new employee training, hasten the pace of innovation, and cultivate a diverse and deep talent pool for our industry members.
Supporting the Growth of the Current Workforce with Professional Development
With the rapid pace of technological development within bioindustrial manufacturing, opportunities to modernize the current workforce are as imperative as cultivating the next generation. Meeting the needs of the workforce will likely mean recruiting people from other manufacturing sectors and providing them with the context-specific education and training they need to be successful in bioindustrial spaces. Additionally, as the impact of sustainable approaches to our bioeconomy are developed, more and more companies will be looking to incorporate bio-based processes into their workflows. To support this expansion of bioindustrial technologies, BioMADE will work with our industry members to provide workshops and other continuing education programs that help companies keep their expanding workforce on the cutting-edge of skill development.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
BioMADE is committed to promoting and advancing greater diversity, equity, and inclusion within the biomanufacturing field. BioMADE seeks partners who have a demonstrated ability to achieve biomanufacturing innovation and a commitment to advancing opportunities that foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce. BioMADE partners are expected to demonstrate their commitment and strategy for achieving a diverse workforce through their proposed implementation plan.
Education and Workforce Development Projects
Education and Workforce Development priorities are established and updated annually by the BioMADE EWD Committee, a working group composed of representatives from member organizations and other relevant stakeholders. Throughout the course of the year, BioMADE will have Project Calls aligned to the priorities established by the Education and Workforce Development Committee.
