New BioMADE Project: Scalable Comprehensive Workforce Readiness Initiatives in Bioindustrial Manufacturing that Lead to Regional Bioeconomic Transformation and Growth

BioMADE is launching a new effort to build a comprehensive community-to-career pathway for bioindustrial manufacturing jobs in Solano County, California. This work will serve as a model that can be scaled and implemented elsewhere around the country.  

Through this project, BioMADE will partner with academic institutions and economic development agencies to:  

• Develop industry-driven, data-informed tools and resources for job training and direct placements in the commercial bioindustrial manufacturing sector  

• Assess and deploy best practices for recruitment and retention of a diverse and inclusive biomanufacturing workforce  

• Develop workforce readiness resources in areas with high feedstock and biomass  

• Create a scalable model for public-private workforce training that can be adapted to other regions 

• Establish a Subject Matter Expert Advisory Subcommittee under the BioMADE EWD Committee to provide relevant, accessible workforce skills training; career pathway awareness and exposure through community outreach, education, workforce program recruitment; technical skills training; and creation of training materials for under-resourced communities  

This work will focus on the I-80 Corridor in northern California, a region that has potential for rapid growth in the bioindustrial manufacturing sector, as the exemplar to develop programs that can be transferable nationwide. This region provides fertile ground to develop this workforce training program that can subsequently be scaled around the country.  

Want to get involved? As mentioned above, BioMADE is looking for up to eight BioMADE member-representatives to help develop content for the modules, courses, and workshops. Please contact Louise Petruzzella at lpetruzzella@biomade.org by Friday, Oct. 13 if you’re interested.